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Aschale A, Adane M, Getachew M, Faris K, Gebretsadik D, Sisay T, Dewau R, Chanie MG, Muche A, Zerga AA, Lingerew M, Gebrehiwot M, Berhanu L, Ademas A, Abebe M, Ketema G, Yirsaw M, Bogale K, Ayele FY, Melaku MS, Amsalu ET, Bitew G, Keleb A, Berihun G, Natnael T, Hassen S, Yenuss M, Dagne M, Feleke A, Kloos H. Water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions and prevalence of intestinal parasitosis among primary school children in Dessie City, Ethiopia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245463. [PMID: 33534792 PMCID: PMC7857601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal parasitosis is a major public health problem that affects the health of primary school children in low- and middle-income countries where water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions are deficient. Since there is a paucity of information on the prevalence and associated factors of this problem among primary school children in Dessie City in Ethiopia, this study was designed to address these gaps. METHODS A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 stratified-sampled primary school children in five primary schools at Dessie City from April to June 2018. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire, an observation checklist and laboratory analysis of stool samples. Stool specimen from each study participant was collected using clean, properly labeled and leak-proof stool cup. A portion of stool from each study participant collected sample was processed using saline wet mount technique and examined by microscope. The remaining specimens were preserved with 10% formalin and transported to Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital laboratory to be processed by using formol-ether concentration technique. Then, slide smears were prepared from each processed stool specimen and finally, it was microscopically examined with 10x as well as 40x objectives for the presence or absence of intestinal parasites. Factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis were determined using binary logistic regression model at 95% CI (confidence interval). Thus, bivariate (COR [crude odds ratio]) and multivariable (AOR [adjusted odds ratio]) logistic regression analyses were carried out. From the multivariable analysis, variables having a p-value of less than 0.05 were declared as factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis among primary school children. MAIN FINDINGS The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was found to be 16.0% (95% CI: 12.5-19.4%), of these, 50.8% were positive for protozoa, 32.2% for helminth infections and 16.9% for double co-infections. Entamoeba histolytica was the most prevalent parasite (29.2%), followed by Giardia lamblia (21.5%), Ascaris lumbricoides (18.5%), Hymenolepis nana (9.2%) and Enterobius vermicularis (4.6%). Prevalence rates were similar among government (16.3%) and private (15.7%) school children. Water consumption was less than 5 liters per capita per day in 4 of the 5 schools. Thirty-eight (9.3%) of primary school students reported that they practiced open defecation. About two-thirds (285, 70.0%) said they always washed their hands after defecation. Mother's education (illiterate) (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.20-9.37), father's education (illiterate) (AOR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.40-10.82), fathers who could read and write (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.25-7.86), handwashing before meal (sometimes) (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.11-4.17) and poor knowledge of WASH (AOR = 9.3; 95% CI: 2.17-16.70) were statistically associated with presence of intestinal parasitic infections. CONCLUSION We concluded that the prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in the study area among Grades 4-8 primary school children had public health significance. Factors significantly associated with intestinal parasitosis among primary school children's were illiterate mothers and fathers, irregular handwashing of children before meals, and poor knowledge of WASH. Health education to improve students' WASH knowledge and mass deworming for parasites are recommended as preventive measures; and improvements to the quality of WASH facilities in primary schools are strongly recommended to support these measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awoke Aschale
- Hygiene and Environmental Health/Infection Prevention and Control Unit, Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Metadel Adane
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Melaku Getachew
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Kebede Faris
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel Gebretsadik
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Tadesse Sisay
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Reta Dewau
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Muluken Genetu Chanie
- Department of Health Systems and Policy, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Amare Muche
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Aregash Abebayehu Zerga
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mistir Lingerew
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mesfin Gebrehiwot
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Leykun Berhanu
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Ayechew Ademas
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Masresha Abebe
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Gebremariam Ketema
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mengistie Yirsaw
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Kassahun Bogale
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Fanos Yeshanew Ayele
- Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mequannent Sharew Melaku
- Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Erkihun Tadesse Amsalu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Gedamnesh Bitew
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Awoke Keleb
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Gete Berihun
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Tarikuwa Natnael
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Seada Hassen
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mohammed Yenuss
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Mengesha Dagne
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Alelgne Feleke
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Helmut Kloos
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Chen YD, Li HZ, Xu LQ, Qian MB, Tian HC, Fang YY, Zhou CH, Ji Z, Feng ZJ, Tang M, Li Q, Wang Y, Bergquist R, Zhou XN. Effectiveness of a community-based integrated strategy to control soil-transmitted helminthiasis and clonorchiasis in the People's Republic of China. Acta Trop 2021; 214:105650. [PMID: 32805214 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs) are caused by a group of intestinal nematode infections due to poor hygiene and environments, and clonorchiasis is a food-borne trematode (FBT) infection caused by ingestion of raw freshwater fish. Both are endemic in the People's Republic of China. To explore a suitable control strategy, integrated interventions were applied between 2007 and 2009 in ten pilot counties (eight for the STHs and two for clonorchiasis). Drug administration was used for treatment and complementary efforts to improve the situation based on health education, provision of clean water and sanitation were carried out. Significant achievements were gained as reflected by a drastic decrease in prevalence these infections were demonstrated. The overall prevalence of STHs and clonorchiasis decreased from 35.9% to 7.8% and from 41.4% to 7.0%, respectively. The reduction of prevalence and high cost-effectiveness were documented supporting large-scale application of this integrated intervention in China and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Dan Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hua-Zhong Li
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Long-Qi Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Men-Bao Qian
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hong-Chun Tian
- Sichuan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yue-Yi Fang
- Guangdong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Chang-Hai Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Zhuo Ji
- Heilongjiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Haerbin 150030, China
| | - Zi-Jian Feng
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Meng Tang
- Danling Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Danling 620200, China
| | - Qun Li
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China
| | | | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200025, China; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai 200025, China.
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Hardwick RJ, Werkman M, Truscott JE, Anderson RM. Stochastic challenges to interrupting helminth transmission. Epidemics 2021; 34:100435. [PMID: 33571786 DOI: 10.1016/j.epidem.2021.100435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Predicting the effect of different programmes designed to control both the morbidity induced by helminth infections and parasite transmission is greatly facilitated by the use of mathematical models of transmission and control impact. In such models, it is essential to account for the many sources of uncertainty - natural, or otherwise - to ensure robustness in prediction and to accurately depict variation around an expected outcome. In this paper, we investigate how well the standard deterministic models match the predictions made using individual-based stochastic simulations. We also explore how well concepts which derive from deterministic models, such as 'breakpoints' in transmission, apply in the stochastic world. Employing an individual-based stochastic model framework we also investigate how transmission and control are affected by the migration of infected people into a defined community. To give our study focus we consider the control of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) by mass drug administration (MDA), though our methodology is readily applicable to the other helminth species such as the schistosome parasites and the filarial worms. We show it is possible to theoretically define a 'stochastic breakpoint' where much noise surrounds the expected deterministic breakpoint. We also discuss the concept of the 'interruption of transmission' independent of the 'breakpoint' concept where analyses of model behaviour illustrate the current limitations of deterministic models to account for the 'fade-out' or transmission extinction behaviour in simulations. Our analysis of migration confirms a relationship between the critical infected human migration rate scale (i.e., order of magnitude) per unit of time and the death rate of infective stages that are released into the free-living environment. This relationship is shown to determine the likelihood that control activities aim at chemotherapeutic treatment of the human host will eliminate transmission. The development of a new stochastic simulation code for STH in the form of a publicly-available open-source python package which includes features to incorporate many population stratifications, different control interventions including mass drug administration (with defined frequency, coverage levels and compliance patterns) and inter-village human migration is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Hardwick
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London WC2 1PG, UK; The DeWorm3 Project, the Natural History Museum of London, London SW7 5BD, UK; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Marleen Werkman
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London WC2 1PG, UK; The DeWorm3 Project, the Natural History Museum of London, London SW7 5BD, UK; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, UK
| | - James E Truscott
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London WC2 1PG, UK; The DeWorm3 Project, the Natural History Museum of London, London SW7 5BD, UK; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Roy M Anderson
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London WC2 1PG, UK; The DeWorm3 Project, the Natural History Museum of London, London SW7 5BD, UK; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, UK
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Muslim A, Lim YAL, Mohd Sofian S, Shaari SA, Mohd Zain Z. Nutritional status, hemoglobin level and their associations with soil-transmitted helminth infections between Negritos (indigenous) from the inland jungle village and resettlement at town peripheries. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245377. [PMID: 33439889 PMCID: PMC7806132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compared the current nutritional status, hemoglobin levels and their associations with soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections between two categories of Negritos (indigenous): (i) Inland Jungle Villages (IJV) (ii) and Resettlement Plan Scheme (RPS) near town peripheries, decades after redevelopment and demarginalization. A total of 416 Negritos (IJV: 149; RPS: 267) was included for nutritional profiling based on anthropometric analysis. However, only 196 (IJV: 64; RPS: 132) individuals consented to blood taking for the hemoglobin (Hb) measurements. Subsequently, the association of undernutrition and anemia with STH infections were determined based on univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The overall prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight amongst children and adolescents (n = 343) were 45.8%, 42.3% and 59.1%, respectively. In adults (n = 73), the prevalence of underweight was low (6.8%) but overweight and obese was prominent (26.0%). For anemia (n = 196), an overall prevalence rate of 68.4% were observed with 80% and 70.4% of children aged 2–6 y/o and aged 7–12 y/o, respectively being anemic. Comparatively, the prevalence of underweight (WAZ) was significantly higher in the RPS versus the IJV (P = 0.03) In the IJV, children aged ≤ 6 y/o and having STH poly-parasitism were associated with underweight (P = 0.01) and moderate-severe T. trichiura infection was associated with anemia. Whilst in the RPS, underweight was highly associated with only T. trichiura infection (P = 0.04). Wasting was significantly associated with young children aged ≤10 in both IJV (P = 0.004) and RPS (P = 0.02). Despite efforts in improving provision of facilities and amenities among the indigenous, this study highlighted a high magnitude of nutritional issues among the Negritos especially those in the RPS and their likely association with STH infections and decades of demarginalization. Joint nutritional intervention strategies with mass anti-helminthic treatment are imperative and urgently needed to reduce the undernutrition problems especially among indigenous children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azdayanti Muslim
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (AM); (YAL)
| | - Yvonne Ai-Lian Lim
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre for Malaysian Indigenous Studies (CMIS), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- * E-mail: (AM); (YAL)
| | - Sakinah Mohd Sofian
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Medical Molecular Biotechnology (IMMB), Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Syahrul Azlin Shaari
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Zaini Mohd Zain
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
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Almugadam BS, Ibrahim MK, Liu Y, Chen SM, Wang CH, Shao CY, Ren BW, Tang L. Association of urogenital and intestinal parasitic infections with type 2 diabetes individuals: a comparative study. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:20. [PMID: 33413119 PMCID: PMC7789604 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05629-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, urogenital and intestinal parasitosis remain significant health challenges. They are associated with rising morbidity, death, and many harmful outcomes. A little is known concerning parasitosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Our study planned to investigate the urogenital and intestinal parasitic infections among type 2 diabetes patients compare to non-diabetic (Control) individuals and examine the intensity of helminthiasis in both groups. METHODS At Kosti Teaching Hospital (Sudan), 300 Urine and 300 stool samples have collected from 150 type 2 diabetes and 150 control individuals, along with the socio-demographic data using a structured questionnaire. The parasitic infections were examined by direct sedimentation technique for urine specimens. Whereas, for fecal samples, simple-direct saline, formal-ether concentration, Kato-Katz, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen techniques were used. RESULTS Out of 150 type 2 diabetes patients studied, 31 (20.6%) and 14 (9.3%) had intestinal parasitosis and urogenital schistosomiasis, respectively. Whereas, 16 (10.6%) and 8 (5.3%) of the control group were infected, respectively. Compared to the control group, the odds of testing positive for either urogenital schistosomiasis (AOR: 2.548, 95% CI: 0.836-7.761, P = 0.100) or intestinal parasitic diseases (AOR: 2.099, 95% CI: 0.973-4.531, P = 0.059) were greater in diabetic individuals. Likewise, the intensities of helminthiasis were much higher in the diabetic patients and positively correlated with the duration of illness. The rate of urogenital schistosomiasis was also significantly different among the disease duration subcategories. CONCLUSIONS Our study has highlighted the relationship of type 2 diabetes with urogenital and intestinal parasitic infections and enhanced our knowledge about the frequency of particular urogenital and intestinal parasites as well as the intensity of helminths infection in type 2 diabetes compared to non-diabetic individuals, which are important for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babiker Saad Almugadam
- Department of Microecology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning China
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of El Imam El Mahdi, Kosti, White Nile State Sudan
| | | | - Yinhui Liu
- Department of Microecology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning China
| | - Shen-min Chen
- Department of Microecology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning China
| | - Chun-hao Wang
- Department of Microecology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning China
| | - Chen-yi Shao
- Department of Microecology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning China
| | - Bao-wei Ren
- Department of Microecology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning China
| | - Li Tang
- Department of Microecology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning China
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Rennie C, Fernandez R, Donnelly S, McGrath KCY. The Impact of Helminth Infection on the Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:728396. [PMID: 34456879 PMCID: PMC8397462 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.728396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are a growing number of publications that report an absence of inflammatory based disease among populations that are endemic to parasitic worms (helminths) demonstrating the ability of these parasites to potentially regulate human immune responses. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the impact of helminth infection on metabolic outcomes in human populations. METHODS Using PRISMA guidelines, six databases were searched for studies published up to August 2020. Random effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled proportions with 95% confidence intervals using the Review Manager Software version 5.4.1. RESULTS Fourteen studies were included in the review. Fasting blood glucose was significantly lower in persons with infection (MD -0.22, 95% CI -0.40- -0.04, P=0.02), HbA1c levels were lower, although not significantly, and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (P=0.001) and type 2 diabetes was lower (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.34-3.09, P<0.0001). Infection was negatively associated with type 2 diabetes when comparing person with diabetes to the group without diabetes (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.29-0.67, P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS While infection with helminths was generally associated with improved metabolic function, there were notable differences in efficacy between parasite species. Based on the data assessed, live infection with S. mansoni resulted in the most significant positive changes to metabolic outcomes. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION Website: PROSPERO Identified: CRD42021227619.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Rennie
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ritin Fernandez
- School of Nursing, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Research in Nursing and Health, St George Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Evidence Based Initiatives in Health Care a JBI Centre of Excellence, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sheila Donnelly
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kristine CY McGrath, ; Sheila Donnelly,
| | - Kristine CY McGrath
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kristine CY McGrath, ; Sheila Donnelly,
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Asfaw MA, Wegayehu T, Gezmu T, Bekele A, Hailemariam Z, Gebre T. Determinants of soil-transmitted helminth infections among pre-school-aged children in Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia: A case-control study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243836. [PMID: 33306738 PMCID: PMC7732061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-school aged children (PSAC) are highly affected by soil-transmitted helminths (STH), particularly in areas where water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are inadequate. Context-specific evidence on determinants of STH infections in PSAC has not been well established in the study area. This study, therefore, aimed to fill these gaps in Gamo Gofa zone, Southern Ethiopia. METHODS A community-based unmatched case-control study, nested in a cross-sectional survey, was conducted in January 2019. Cases and controls were identified based on any STH infection status using the Kato-Katz technique in stool sample examination. Data on social, demographic, economic, behavioral, and WASH related variables were collected from primary caregivers of children using pre-tested questionnaire. Determinants of STH infections were identified using multivariable logistic regression model using SPSS version 25. RESULTS A total of 1206 PSAC (402 cases and 804 controls) participated in this study. Our study showed that the odds of STH infection were lowest among PSAC living in urban areas (AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39-0.79), among those from households with safe water source (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.0.93), and in those PSAC from households with shorter distance from water source (<30 minutes) (AOR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.39-0.67). On the other hand, the odds of STH infection were highest among PSAC from households that had no functional hand washing facility (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04-1.77), in those PSAC from households that had unclean latrine (AOR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.19-2.78), and among those PSAC under caregivers who had lower score (≤5) on knowledge related to STH transmission (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.13-3.01). CONCLUSIONS Given efforts required eliminating STH by 2030; the existing preventive chemotherapy intervention should be substantially strengthened with WASH and behavioral interventions. Thus, an urgent call for action is required to integrate context-specific interventions, particularly in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mekuria Asnakew Asfaw
- Collaborative Research and Training Centre for NTDs, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Teklu Wegayehu
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Tigist Gezmu
- Collaborative Research and Training Centre for NTDs, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Alemayehu Bekele
- Collaborative Research and Training Centre for NTDs, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Zeleke Hailemariam
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Teshome Gebre
- The Task Force for Global Health, International Trachoma Initiative, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Farrant O, Marlais T, Houghton J, Goncalves A, Teixeira da Silva Cassama E, Cabral MG, Nakutum J, Manjuba C, Rodrigues A, Mabey D, Bailey R, Last A. Prevalence, risk factors and health consequences of soil-transmitted helminth infection on the Bijagos Islands, Guinea Bissau: A community-wide cross-sectional study. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008938. [PMID: 33326420 PMCID: PMC7773412 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are endemic and widespread across Sub-Saharan Africa. A community wide soil-transmitted helminth (STH) prevalence survey was performed on the island of Bubaque in Guinea-Bissau using both Kato-katz microscopy and qPCR methodology. Predictors of infection and morbidity indicators were identified using multivariable logistic regression, and diagnostic methods were compared using k statistics. Among 396 participants, prevalence of STH by microscopy was 23.2%, hookworm was the only species identified by this method and the mean infection intensity was 312 eggs per gram. qPCR analysis revealed an overall prevalence of any STH infection of 47.3%, with the majority A. duodenale (32.3%), followed by N. americanus (15.01%) and S. stercoralis (13.2%). A. lumbricoides, and T. trichiura infections were negligible, with a prevalence of 0.25% each. Agreement between diagnostic tests was k = 0.22, interpreted as fair agreement, and infection intensity measured by both methods was only minimally correlated (Rs = -0.03). STH infection overall was more common in females and adults aged 31-40. STH infection was associated with open defaecation, low socio-economic status and further distance to a water-source. The prevalence of anaemia (defined as a binary outcome by the WHO standards for age and sex) was 69.1%, and 44.2% of children were malnourished according to WHO child growth standards. Hookworm infection intensity by faecal egg count showed no statistically significant association with age (Rs 0.06) but S. Stercoralis infection intensity by qPCR cycle threshold was higher in pre-school aged children (Rs = 0.30, p-value 0.03) There was no statistically significant association between STH infection and anaemia (OR 1.0 p = 0.8), stunting (OR 1.9, p-value 0.5) and wasting (OR 2.0, p-value 0.2) in children. This study reveals a persistent reservoir of STH infection across the community, with high rates of anaemia and malnutrition, despite high-coverage of mebendazole mass-drug administration in pre-school children. This reflects the need for a new strategy to soil-transmitted helminth control, to reduce infections and ultimately eliminate transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Farrant
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tegwen Marlais
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joanna Houghton
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adriana Goncalves
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Jose Nakutum
- Region Sanitaria Bolama-Bijagós, Bubaque, Guinea Bissau
| | | | | | - David Mabey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Bailey
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Last
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Affiliation(s)
- Owais Fazal
- Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Departments of Pediatrics and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Texas Children's Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
- James A Baker III Institute of Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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Oswald WE, Kepha S, Halliday KE, Mcharo C, Safari T, Witek-McManus S, Hardwick RJ, Allen E, Matendechero SH, Brooker SJ, Njenga SM, Mwandawiro CS, Anderson RM, Pullan RL. Patterns of individual non-treatment during multiple rounds of mass drug administration for control of soil-transmitted helminths in the TUMIKIA trial, Kenya: a secondary longitudinal analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2020; 8:e1418-e1426. [PMID: 33069302 PMCID: PMC7564382 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30344-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have been done of patterns of treatment during mass drug administration (MDA) to control neglected tropical diseases. We used routinely collected individual-level treatment records that had been collated for the Tuangamize Minyoo Kenya Imarisha Afya (Swahili for Eradicate Worms in Kenya for Better Health [TUMIKIA]) trial, done in coastal Kenya from 2015 to 2017. In this analysis we estimate the extent of and factors associated with the same individuals not being treated over multiple rounds of MDA, which we term systematic non-treatment. METHODS We linked the baseline population of the TUMIKIA trial randomly assigned to receive biannual community-wide MDA for soil-transmitted helminthiasis to longitudinal records on receipt of treatment in any of the four treatment rounds of the study. We fitted logistic regression models to estimate the association of non-treatment in a given round with non-treatment in the previous round, controlling for identified predictors of non-treatment. We also used multinomial logistic regression to identify factors associated with part or no treatment versus complete treatment. FINDINGS 36 327 participants were included in our analysis: 16 236 children aged 2-14 years and 20 091 adults aged 15 years or older. The odds of having no treatment recorded was higher if a participant was not treated during the previous round of MDA (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3·60, 95% CI 3·08-4·20 for children and 5·58, 5·01-6·21 for adults). For children, school attendance and rural residence reduced the odds of receiving part or no treatment, whereas odds were increased by least poor socioeconomic status and living in an urban or periurban household. Women had higher odds than men of receiving part or no treatment. However, when those with pregnancy or childbirth in the previous 2 weeks were excluded, women became more likely to receive complete treatment. Adults aged 20-25 years were the age group with the highest odds of receiving part (OR 1·41, 95% CI 1·22-1·63) or no treatment (OR 1·81, 95% CI 1·53-2·14). INTERPRETATION Non-treatment was associated with specific sociodemographic groups and characteristics and did not occcur at random. This finding has important implications for MDA programme effectiveness, the relevance of which will intensify as disease prevalence decreases and infections become increasingly clustered. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Joint Global Health Trials Scheme of the Medical Research Council, UK Department for International Development, Wellcome Trust, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Oswald
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Stella Kepha
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya; Pwani University Bioscience Research Centre, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Katherine E Halliday
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Carlos Mcharo
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Th'uva Safari
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stefan Witek-McManus
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Robert J Hardwick
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Allen
- Department of Medical Statistics, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sultani H Matendechero
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Division of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Simon J Brooker
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sammy M Njenga
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Charles S Mwandawiro
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Roy M Anderson
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Rachel L Pullan
- Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Inocencio da Luz R, Linsuke S, Roucher C, Mpanya A, Nyandele J, Mubwa Mungwele N, Mboma BN, Polman K, Hasker E, Boelaert M. Community-based survey on helminth infections in Kwilu province, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and implications for local control strategies. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008745. [PMID: 33112859 PMCID: PMC7592847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
To adequately plan mass drug administration campaigns, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) needs further support for the mapping and monitoring of schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminths (STH). We conducted a community-based survey in the health districts of Mosango and Yasa Bonga of the Kwilu province, DRC. A stratified two-stage cluster random sampling method was used to include participants into three different strata: Preschool-aged children (PSAC), school-aged children (SAC), and adults who were further subdivided into women of reproductive age (WRA) and other adults. In total, surveyors visited 30 villages, and 1 206 individuals participated in the study. Stool samples were collected to perform duplicate Kato-Katz smears for the detection of SCH and STH infection. Hookworm was the most prevalent infection in both districts, 34.1% (95%CI: 32.0–38.4), followed by A. lumbricoides (2.7%; 95%CI: 1.3–2.9) and T. trichiura (1.9%; 95%CI: 1.1–2.7). We did not find any SCH infection. The prevalence of each STH infection was similar across all risk groups, and the majority of the infected individuals was carrying light intensity infection. Compared to SAC, other adults were equally infected with hookworm. The prevalence of STH infection in SAC guides the MDA implementation because schoolchildren are most at risk and easily accessible program targets if school attendance is high. The current treatment strategy targets PSAC, SAC and WRA. However, this study shows that adults in general could also benefit from deworming. Therefore, community-wide preventive chemotherapy would be the most appropriate choice to control the hookworm burden rapidly. Helminths are a group of intestinal worms that cause abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and anemia due to blood loss in the stool. Regular mass drug administration (MDA) is one strategy to fight these worm infections. The appropriate MDA treatment scheme is chosen based on a population survey estimating the burden of infection. This survey is usually done in schoolchildren because they suffer the most from these infections and they are easy to reach through school infrastructures. However, one particular worm, the hookworm, is also highly present and clinically relevant in adults. We conducted a community-based survey in two districts of the Kwilu Province of the DRC. We found that hookworm was the predominant infection in the area and that adults were as often infected as the schoolchildren. Therefore, to effectively reduce hookworm infection, we advise extending treatment schemes to the entire community.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sylvie Linsuke
- Epidemiology Unit, Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Clémentine Roucher
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alain Mpanya
- Ministry of Health, PNLTHA, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | - Jane Nyandele
- Hubert Kairuki Memorial University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | | | - Katja Polman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Epco Hasker
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marleen Boelaert
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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de Winter II, Umanets A, Gort G, Nieuwland WH, van Hooft P, Heitkönig IMA, Kappeler PM, Prins HHT, Smidt H. Effects of seasonality and previous logging on faecal helminth-microbiota associations in wild lemurs. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16818. [PMID: 33033341 PMCID: PMC7544911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73827-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastrointestinal helminth-microbiota associations are shaped by various ecological processes. The effect of the ecological context of the host on the bacterial microbiome and gastrointestinal helminth parasites has been tested in a number of ecosystems and experimentally. This study takes the important step to look at these two groups at the same time and to start to examine how these communities interact in a changing host environment. Fresh faecal samples (N = 335) from eight wild Eulemur populations were collected over 2 years across Madagascar. We used 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing to characterise the bacterial microbiota composition, and faecal flotation to isolate and morphologically identify nematode eggs. Infections with nematodes of the genera Callistoura and Lemuricola occurred in all lemur populations. Seasonality significantly contributed to the observed variation in microbiota composition, especially in the dry deciduous forest. Microbial richness and Lemuricola spp. infection prevalence were highest in a previously intensely logged site, whereas Callistoura spp. showed no such pattern. In addition, we observed significant correlations between gastrointestinal parasites and bacterial microbiota composition in these lemurs, with 0.4-0.7% of the variation in faecal bacterial microbiota composition being explained by helminth infections. With this study, we show effects of environmental conditions on gastrointestinal nematodes and bacterial interactions in wild lemurs and believe it is essential to consider the potential role of microbiome-parasite associations on the hosts' GI stability, health, and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- I I de Winter
- Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - A Umanets
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - G Gort
- Biometris, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - W H Nieuwland
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - P van Hooft
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - I M A Heitkönig
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - P M Kappeler
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - H H T Prins
- Animal Sciences Group, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - H Smidt
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Okoyo C, Campbell SJ, Williams K, Simiyu E, Owaga C, Mwandawiro C. Prevalence, intensity and associated risk factors of soil-transmitted helminth and schistosome infections in Kenya: Impact assessment after five rounds of mass drug administration in Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008604. [PMID: 33027264 PMCID: PMC7540847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In Kenya, over five million school age children (SAC) are estimated to be at risk of parasitic worms causing soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis. As such, the Government of Kenya launched a National School Based Deworming (NSBD) program in 2012 targeting the at-risk SAC living in endemic regions, with the aim of reducing infections prevalence to a level where they no longer constitute a public health problem. The impact of the program has been consistently monitored from 2012 to 2017 through a robust and extensive monitoring and evaluation (M&E) program. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the parasitological outcomes and additionally investigate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) related factors associated with infection prevalence after five rounds of mass drug administration (MDA), to inform the program’s next steps. Materials and methods We utilized a cross-sectional design in a representative, stratified, two-stage sample of school children across six regions in Kenya. A sample size of 100 schools with approximately 108 children per school was purposively selected based on the Year 5 STH infection endemicity prior to the survey. Stool samples were examined for the presence of STH and Schistosoma mansoni eggs using double-slide Kato-Katz technique, urine samples were processed using urine filtration technique for the presence of S. haematobium eggs. Survey questionnaires were administered to all the participating children to collect information on their demographic and individual, household and school level WASH characteristics. Principal findings Overall, STH prevalence was 12.9% (95%CI: 10.4–16.1) with species prevalence of 9.7% (95%CI: 7.5–12.6) for Ascaris lumbricoides, 3.6% (95%CI: 2.2–5.8) for Trichuris trichiura and 1.0% (95%CI: 0.6–1.5) for hookworm. S. mansoni prevalence was 2.2% (95%CI: 1.2–4.3) and S. haematobium prevalence was 0.3% (95%CI: 0.1–1.0). All the infections showed significant prevalence reductions when compared with the baseline prevalence, except S. mansoni. From multivariable analysis, increased odds of any STH infections were associated with not wearing shoes, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.36 (95%CI: 1.09–1.69); p = 0.007; high number of household members, aOR = 1.21 (95%CI: 1.04–1.41); p = 0.015; and school absenteeism of more than two days, aOR = 1.33 (95%CI: 1.01–1.80); p = 0.045. Further, children below five years had up to four times higher odds of getting STH infections, aOR = 4.68 (95%CI: 1.49–14.73); p = 0.008. However, no significant factors were identified for schistosomiasis, probably due to low prevalence levels affecting performance of statistical analysis. Conclusions After five rounds of MDA, the program shows low prevalence of STH and schistosomiasis, however, not to a level where the infections are not a public health problem. With considerable inter-county infection prevalence heterogeneity, the program should adopt future MDA frequencies based on the county’s infection prevalence status. Further, the program should encourage interventions aimed at improving coverage among preschool age children and improving WASH practices as long-term infection control strategies. This paper presents the findings of an evaluation survey conducted in Year 6 of the Kenya National School-Based Deworming (NSBD) Program, following five years (2012–2017) of prior baseline and subsequent impact monitoring. The survey was conducted in 20 counties, covering six regions in Kenya. The survey showed continued and considerable reductions in prevalence over time, with most marked decline for hookworm, followed by Ascaris lumbricoides. Overall, the mass drug administration (MDA) program has driven both STH and schistosomiasis prevalence to relatively low levels, however not to a point where they no longer constitute a public health problem in Kenya. For these neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and STH in particular, there are relatively few published examples of programmatic impact assessments enabling refined decisions regarding helminth control strategies. Kenya’s experiences in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating a high-coverage NSBD program are a continuing and increasingly important success story for the country, which provides learnings of importance for the international community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collins Okoyo
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
- School of Mathematics, College of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Suzy J. Campbell
- Deworm the World, Evidence Action, Washington DC, United States of America
| | | | - Elses Simiyu
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Charles Mwandawiro
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Nairobi, Kenya
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Gitore WA, Ali MM, Yoseph A, Mangesha AE, Debiso AT. Prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthes and its association with water, sanitation, hygiene among schoolchildren and barriers for schools level prevention in technology villages of Hawassa University: Mixed design. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239557. [PMID: 32970747 PMCID: PMC7514018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) remain one of the most common causes of morbidity among children in Ethiopia. Assessment of the magnitude of STH and its association with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and identify barriers for school-level prevention assist public health planners to prioritize promotion strategies and is a basic step for intervention. However, there is a lack of evidence on the prevalence of STH and its association with WASH and barriers for school-level prevention among schoolchildren. OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of STH and its association with WASH and identify barriers for school level prevention in technology village of Hawassa University; 2019. METHODS An institution-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1080 schoolchildren from September 5 to October 15, 2019. A two-stage cluster and purposive sampling technique were used to draw the study participants. A pretested, structured questionnaire, observation checklist, and in-depth interview were used to collect the data. Two grams of stool samples were collected from each study participant and examined using direct wet mount and Kato-Katz technique. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Both bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis method by Atlas-Ti software and presented in narratives. RESULTS The overall prevalence of STHs was 23.1% (95% CI = 21.4, 27.6). The identified predictors of STHs were large family size (AOR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.53-3.99), absence of separate toilet room for male and female (AOR = 3.33; 95% CI = 1.91-5.79), toilet not easy to clean (AOR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.44-3.33), inadequate knowledge about STHs (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.07-3.44) and children who had travelled greater than 100 meters to access toilet (AOR = 3.45; 95% CI = 2.24-8.92). These results were supported by the individual, institutional, socio-economic and cultural qualitative results. CONCLUSION The STHs was moderate public health concerns. Reinforcing the existing fragile water, sanitation and hygiene programs and regular deworming of schoolchildren may support to reduce the burden of STHs. Also, increasing modern family planning methods utilization to decrease family size is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wondwosen Abera Gitore
- School of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Musa Mohammed Ali
- School of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Amanuel Yoseph
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Adane Ermias Mangesha
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Alemu Tamiso Debiso
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
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Vlaminck J, Cools P, Albonico M, Ame S, Ayana M, Dana D, Keiser J, Matoso LF, Montresor A, Mekonnen Z, Corrêa-Oliveira R, Pinto SA, Sayasone S, Vercruysse J, Levecke B. An in-depth report of quality control on Kato-Katz and data entry in four clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of albendazole against soil-transmitted helminth infections. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008625. [PMID: 32956390 PMCID: PMC7549791 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Efforts to control soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have intensified over the past decade. Field-survey data on STH prevalence, infection intensity and drug efficacy is necessary to guide the implementation of control programs and should be of the best possible quality. METHODOLOGY During four clinical trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of albendazole against STHs in Brazil, Ethiopia, Lao PDR and Tanzania, quality control (QC) was performed on the duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and the data entry. We analyzed datasets following QC on both fecal egg counts (FECs) and data entry, and compared the prevalence of any STH infection and moderate-to-heavy intensity (MHI) infections and the drug efficacy against STH infections. RESULTS Across the four study sites, a total of 450 out of 4,830 (9.3%) Kato-Katz thick smears were re-examined. Discrepancies in FECs varied from ~3% (hookworms) to ~6.5% (Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura). The difference in STH prevalence and prevalence of MHI infections using the datasets with and without QC of the FECs did not exceed 0.3%, except for hookworm infections in Tanzania, where we noted a 2.2 percentage point increase in MHI infections (pre-QC: 1.6% vs. post-QC: 3.8%). There was a 100% agreement in the classification of drug efficacy of albendazole against STH between the two datasets. In total, 201 of the 28,980 (0.65%) data entries that were made to digitize the FECs were different between both data-entry clerks. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of STH, the prevalence of MHI infections and the classification of drug efficacy remained largely unaffected. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE In these trials, where staff was informed that QC would take place, minimal changes in study outcomes were reported following QC on FECs or data entry. Nevertheless, imposing QC did reduce the number of errors. Therefore, application of QC together with proper training of the personnel and the availability of clear standard operating procedures is expected to support higher data quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Vlaminck
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- * E-mail: (JV); (BL)
| | - Piet Cools
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Marco Albonico
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Shaali Ame
- Laboratory Division, Public Health Laboratory-Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Mio Ayana
- Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel Dana
- Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo F. Matoso
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Research Center René Rachou—FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- Nursing school, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Zeleke Mekonnen
- Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | | | - Simone A. Pinto
- Nursing school, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Somphou Sayasone
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic
| | - Jozef Vercruysse
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- * E-mail: (JV); (BL)
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Rabiu OR, Dada-Adegbola H, Kosoko AM, Falade CO, Arinola OG, Odaibo AB, Ademowo OG. Contributions of malaria, helminths, HIV and iron deficiency to anaemia in pregnant women attending ante-natal clinic in SouthWest Nigeria. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:1035-1044. [PMID: 33402949 PMCID: PMC7751510 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i3.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Iron deficiency is a dominant source of anaemia in many settings. To evaluate the key cause of anaemia in the study area, the prevalence of anaemia due to major public health diseases was compared with anaemia due to iron deficiency. METHODS Pregnant women were recruited from ante-natal (n=490) and HIV clinics (n=217) with their personal data documented using a questionnaire. Microscopy of Giemsa-stained thick smears was used for detection of malaria parasites while helminths in stools were detected using direct smear method. Haematocrit values were determined by capillary method. Serum ferritin levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS The mean age of the recruited women was 28.6±5.4 years old. There were 68.1% cases of anaemia of which 35.5% was due to infections only predominantly HIV and malaria, 14.9% from unknown sources while anaemia due to iron deficiency only was 7.1%. CONCLUSION It can safely be inferred that malaria and HIV predispose to anaemia than iron deficiency in the study area. Although pregnant women are dewormed and given IPTp for helminths and malaria treatment respectively, there should be complementary routine malaria screening at ANC visits for those with HCT values <33% and those infected with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olawunmi R Rabiu
- Department of Zoology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Biological Sciences, Mountain Top University, Km 12, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Hannah Dada-Adegbola
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Ayokulehin M Kosoko
- Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Catherine O Falade
- Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Olatunbosun G Arinola
- Immunology Unit, Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Olusegun G Ademowo
- Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Kim SH, Stothard JR, Rinamalo M, Rainima-Qaniuci M, Talemaitoga N, Kama M, Rafai E, Jang S, Kim JY, Oh YM, Kim EM, Hong ST, Lowry JH, Verweij JJ, Kelly-Hope LA, Choi MH. A first nation-wide assessment of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Fijian primary schools, and factors associated with the infection, using a lymphatic filariasis transmission assessment survey as surveillance platform. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008511. [PMID: 32976499 PMCID: PMC7518615 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is endemic in Fiji but its prevalence is not known and likely to have changed after a decade of mass drug administration (MDA) for lymphatic filariasis (LF). By linking with LF transmission assessment surveys (LF-TAS), we undertook the first nation-wide assessment of STH in Fijian primary schools, as well as an analysis of factors associated with STH infections. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A cross-sectional assessment for STH was conducted in all four Divisions of Fiji from 2014 to 2015. In the Western, Central, and Northern Divisions, schools were sub-sampled after LF-TAS, while, in the Eastern Division, schools were selected via simple random sampling. For the diagnosis of STH, stool samples were examined by coproscopy with a single Kato-Katz thick smear (KK) and the formol-ether-acetate concentration technique, except for the samples from the Eastern Division where only KK was used. Mean prevalence of any STH among class 1-2 students at the national level was 10.5% (95% CI: 6.9-15.5). Across the three Divisions via LF-TAS, the prevalence levels for ascariasis were 8.7% (95% CI: 4.3-16.6), hookworm 3.9% (95% CI: 2.3-6.6) and trichuriasis 0%. In the Eastern Division, ascariasis prevalence was 13.3% (95% CI: 6.4-25.6), and hookworm 0.7% (95% CI: 0.2-2.5), with one case of trichuriasis. Among class 3-8 students, ascariasis prevalence was lower. Lower risk of any STH was associated with wearing shoes (adjusted OR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32-0.90) and having piped water from the Fiji Water Authority at home (adjusted OR 0.48, 95% CI: 0.25-0.92). CONCLUSIONS After a decade of community-based LF-MDA, STH in school-age children in Fiji is now close to 10%, but localities of endemicity remain. Preventive chemotherapy should be maintained in areas with elevated STH prevalence alongside targeted delivery of integrated WASH interventions. LF-TAS has provided an opportunity to develop future public health surveillance platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Hye Kim
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - J. Russell Stothard
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Mike Kama
- Ministry of Health, Dinem House, Suva, Republic of Fiji
| | - Eric Rafai
- Ministry of Health, Dinem House, Suva, Republic of Fiji
| | - Seoyun Jang
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Young Kim
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoo Min Oh
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun-Min Kim
- Department of Environmental Medical Biology and Arthropods of Medical Importance Resource Research Bank, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung-Tae Hong
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - John H. Lowry
- School of Geography, Earth Science, and Environment, The University of South Pacific, Suva, Republic of Fiji
| | - Jaco J. Verweij
- Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Louise A. Kelly-Hope
- Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Min-Ho Choi
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology and Institute of Endemic Diseases, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Cho J, Jung BK, Chang T, Sohn WM, Sinuon M, Chai JY. Echinostoma mekongi n. sp. (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) from Riparian People along the Mekong River in Cambodia. Korean J Parasitol 2020; 58:431-443. [PMID: 32871637 PMCID: PMC7462798 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2020.58.4.431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Echinostoma mekongi n. sp. (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is described based on adult flukes collected from humans residing along the Mekong River in Cambodia. Total 256 flukes were collected from the diarrheic stool of 6 echinostome egg positive villagers in Kratie and Takeo Province after praziquantel treatment and purging. Adults of the new species were 9.0-13.1 (av. 11.3) mm in length and 1.3-2.5 (1.9) mm in maximum width and characterized by having a head collar armed with 37 collar spines (dorsal spines arranged in 2 alternative rows), including 5 end group spines. The eggs in feces and worm uterus were 98-132 (117) μm long and 62-90 (75) μm wide. These morphological features closely resembled those of Echinostoma revolutum, E. miyagawai, and several other 37-collar-spined Echinostoma species. However, sequencing of the nuclear ITS (ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2) and 2 mitochondrial genes, cox1 and </>nad1, revealed unique features distinct from E. revolutum and also from other 37-collar-spined Echinostoma group available in GenBank (E. bolschewense, E. caproni, E. cinetorchis, E. deserticum, E. miyagawai, E. nasincovae, E. novaezealandense, E. paraensei, E. paraulum, E. robustum, E. trivolvis, and Echinostoma sp. IG). Thus, we assigned our flukes as a new species, E. mekongi. The new species revealed marked variation in the morphology of testes (globular or lobulated), and smaller head collar, collar spines, oral and ventral suckers, and cirrus sac compared to E. revolutum and E. miyagawai. Epidemiological studies regarding the geographical distribution and its life history, including the source of human infections, remain to be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeeun Cho
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649, Korea
| | - Bong-Kwang Jung
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649, Korea
| | - Taehee Chang
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649, Korea
| | - Woon-Mok Sohn
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju 52727, Korea
| | - Muth Sinuon
- National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Jong-Yil Chai
- Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Korea Association of Health Promotion, Seoul 07649, Korea
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
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Lambura AG, Mwanga GG, Luboobi L, Kuznetsov D. Mathematical Model for Optimal Control of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection. Comput Math Methods Med 2020; 2020:6721919. [PMID: 32802152 PMCID: PMC7416292 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6721919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we study the dynamics of soil-transmitted helminth infection. We formulate and analyse a deterministic compartmental model using nonlinear differential equations. The basic reproduction number is obtained and both disease-free and endemic equilibrium points are shown to be asymptotically stable under given threshold conditions. The model may exhibit backward bifurcation for some parameter values, and the sensitivity indices of the basic reproduction number with respect to the parameters are determined. We extend the model to include control measures for eradication of the infection from the community. Pontryagian's maximum principle is used to formulate the optimal control problem using three control strategies, namely, health education through provision of educational materials, educational messages to improve the awareness of the susceptible population, and treatment by mass drug administration that target the entire population(preschool- and school-aged children) and sanitation through provision of clean water and personal hygiene. Numerical simulations were done using MATLAB and graphical results are displayed. The cost effectiveness of the control measures were done using incremental cost-effective ratio, and results reveal that the combination of health education and sanitation is the best strategy to combat the helminth infection. Therefore, in order to completely eradicate soil-transmitted helminths, we advise investment efforts on health education and sanitation controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristide G. Lambura
- School of Computational and Communication Science and Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African, Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha-, Tanzania
- Department of Computer Systems and Mathemmatics, Ardhi University, P.O. Box 35176, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Gasper G. Mwanga
- Department of Physcics, Mathematics and Informatics, University of Dar es Salaam, P.O. Box 2329, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Livingstone Luboobi
- School of Computational and Communication Science and Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African, Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha-, Tanzania
- Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Strathmore University, P.O. Box 59857-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dmitry Kuznetsov
- School of Computational and Communication Science and Engineering, The Nelson Mandela African, Institution of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 447, Arusha-, Tanzania
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Gliga DS, Pisanu B, Walzer C, Desvars-Larrive A. Helminths of urban rats in developed countries: a systematic review to identify research gaps. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2383-2397. [PMID: 32607706 PMCID: PMC7366588 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06776-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Although black (Rattus rattus) and brown (Rattus norvegicus) rats are among the most widespread synanthropic wild rodents, there is a surprising scarcity of knowledge about their ecology in the urban ecosystem. In particular, relatively few studies have investigated their helminth species diversity in such habitat. We followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guideline to synthesize the existing published literature regarding the helminth fauna of urban rats in developed countries (North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan). We aimed at describing the species diversity and richness of urban rat helminths, the species prevalence and associations, the methods of investigation, the pathological changes observed in the hosts, the risk factors of infection and the public health significance of rat-borne helminthiases. Twenty-three scientific papers published between 1946 and 2019 were reviewed, half of them were conducted in Europe. Twenty-five helminth species and eight genera were described from the liver, digestive tract, lungs and muscles of urban rats. The most commonly reported parasite was Calodium hepaticum. Prevalence and risk factors of helminth infection in urban rats varied greatly between studies. Observed pathological findings in the rat host were generally minor, except for C. hepaticum. Several rat helminths can parasitize humans and are therefore of public health significance. The lack of references to identification keys and the rare use of molecular tools for species confirmation represent the main limitation of these studies. Knowledge gap on this topic and the needs for future research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana S Gliga
- Conservation Medicine, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Benoît Pisanu
- Unité Mixte de Services (UMS) 2006 Patrimoine Naturel, Office Français pour la Biodiversité (OFB), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), Paris, France
| | - Chris Walzer
- Conservation Medicine, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
- Health Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Amélie Desvars-Larrive
- Conservation Medicine, Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
- Unit of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.
- Complexity Science Hub, Vienna, Austria.
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121
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Gildner TE, Cepon-Robins TJ, Liebert MA, Urlacher SS, Schrock JM, Harrington CJ, Madimenos FC, Snodgrass JJ, Sugiyama LS. Market integration and soil-transmitted helminth infection among the Shuar of Amazonian Ecuador. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236924. [PMID: 32735608 PMCID: PMC7394393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have many negative health outcomes (e.g., diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies) that can also exacerbate poverty. These infections are generally highest among low-income populations, many of which are also undergoing market integration (MI; increased participation in a market-based economy). Yet the direct impact of MI-related social and environmental changes on STH infection patterns is poorly understood, making it unclear which lifestyle factors should be targeted to better control disease spread. This cross-sectional study examines if household infrastructure associated with greater MI is associated with lower STH burdens among Indigenous Ecuadorian Shuar. METHODS Kato-Katz fecal smears were used to determine STH infection status and intensity (n = 620 participants; 308 females, 312 males, aged 6 months-86 years); Ascaris lumbricoides (ascarid) and Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) were the primary infection types detected. Structured interviews assessing lifestyle patterns (e.g., measures of household infrastructure) measured participant MI. Multilevel regression analyses and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models tested associations between MI measures and STH infection status or intensity, controlling for individual and community characteristics. RESULTS Participants residing in more market-integrated households exhibited lower infection rates and intensities than those in less market integrated households. Parasite infection status and T. trichiura infection intensity were lower among participants living in houses with wood floors than those with dirt floors, while individuals using well or piped water from a spring exhibited lower A. lumbricoides infection intensities compared to those using river or stream water. Unexpectedly, latrine type was not significantly related to STH infection status or intensity. These results suggest that sources of exposure differ between the two helminth species. CONCLUSIONS This study documents associations between household measures and STH infection among an Indigenous population undergoing rapid MI. These findings can help healthcare programs better target interventions and reduce STH exposure among at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa E. Gildner
- Department of Anthropology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Tara J. Cepon-Robins
- Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Melissa A. Liebert
- Department of Anthropology, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Samuel S. Urlacher
- Department of Anthropology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Joshua M. Schrock
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | | | - Felicia C. Madimenos
- Department of Anthropology, Queens College (CUNY), Flushing, New York, United States of America
| | - J. Josh Snodgrass
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
- Center for Global Health, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Lawrence S. Sugiyama
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
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122
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Sanya RE, Webb EL, Zziwa C, Kizindo R, Sewankambo M, Tumusiime J, Nakazibwe E, Oduru G, Niwagaba E, Nakawungu PK, Kabagenyi J, Nassuuna J, Walusimbi B, Andia-Biraro I, Elliott AM. The Effect of Helminth Infections and Their Treatment on Metabolic Outcomes: Results of a Cluster-Randomized Trial. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 71:601-613. [PMID: 31504336 PMCID: PMC7384320 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helminths may protect against cardiometabolic risk through effects on inflammation and metabolism; their treatment may be detrimental to metabolic outcomes. METHODS In a cluster-randomized trial in 26 Ugandan fishing communities we investigated effects of community-wide intensive (quarterly single-dose praziquantel, triple-dose albendazole) vs standard (annual single-dose praziquantel, biannual single-dose albendazole) anthelminthic treatment on metabolic outcomes, and observational associations between helminths and metabolic outcomes. The primary outcome, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and secondary outcomes (including blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipids) were assessed after 4 years' intervention among individuals aged ≥10 years. RESULTS We analyzed 1898 participants. Intensive treatment had no effect on HOMA-IR (adjusted geometric mean ratio, 0.96 [95% confidence interval {CI}, .86-1.07]; P = .42) but resulted in higher mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (2.86 vs 2.60 mmol/L; adjusted mean difference, 0.26 [95% CI, -.03 to .56]; P = .08). Lower LDL-c levels were associated with Schistosoma mansoni (2.37 vs 2.80 mmol/L; -0.25 [95% CI, -.49 to -.02]; P = .04) or Strongyloides (2.34 vs 2.69 mmol/L; -0.32 [95% CI, -.53 to -.12]; P = .003) infection. Schistosoma mansoni was associated with lower total cholesterol (4.24 vs 4.64 mmol/L; -0.25 [95% CI, -.44 to -.07]; P = .01) and moderate to heavy S. mansoni infection with lower triglycerides, LDL-c, and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS Helminth infections improve lipid profiles and may lower blood pressure. Studies to confirm causality and investigate mechanisms may contribute to understanding the epidemiological transition and suggest new approaches to prevent cardiometabolic disease. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION ISRCTN47196031.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Sanya
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Emily L Webb
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Zziwa
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Robert Kizindo
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Moses Sewankambo
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Josephine Tumusiime
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Esther Nakazibwe
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gloria Oduru
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Emmanuel Niwagaba
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Prossy Kabuubi Nakawungu
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Joyce Kabagenyi
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Jacent Nassuuna
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Bridgious Walusimbi
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Irene Andia-Biraro
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Alison M Elliott
- Immunomodulation and Vaccines Programme, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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González Quiroz DJ, Agudelo Lopez SDP, Arango CM, Acosta JEO, Bello Parias LD, Alzate LU, Hernández Castro C, Medina Lozano AP, Sepúlveda Vergara GD, Giraldo AM, Trujillo-Trujillo J, Pernett Bolaño IDC, Cuellar Segura CM, Arbeláez Montoya MP. Prevalence of soil transmitted helminths in school-aged children, Colombia, 2012-2013. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0007613. [PMID: 32678821 PMCID: PMC7390406 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aims to establish the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) intestinal infections, nutritional status, and anemia in school children aged 7 to 10 years old in the biogeographic provinces of Colombia in 2012–2013. STH prevalence in the country has not been described within the last 30 years and it is needed in order to establish policies its control in the country. Methodology National Survey of STH in school-aged children with a multistage stratified probability sampling was conducted. The overall prevalence and intensity of STH infection, as well as for each parasite, (A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworms) were calculated for the country and for each of the nine biogeographic provinces. Principal findings Stool samples were collected from 6045 children in eight out of nine biogeographic provinces. The combined prevalence of STH in the country was 29.6%. T. trichiura was the most prevalent helminth (18.4%), followed by A. lumbricoides (11.3%), and hookworms (6.4%). For A. lumbricoides and hookworms, the highest prevalence values were found in the Amazonía province (58.0% and 35.7%, respectively). Regarding STH intensity, most cases showed moderate intensity (41.3%) for A. lumbricoides, and light intensity, for T. trichiura and hookworms. The national prevalence of anemia in school-aged children was 14.2%, lowest in the Nor-Andina province (3.5%), and highest in the Territorios Insulares oceánicos del Caribe province (45.1%). Significance Colombia has a moderate risk of STH infection in school-aged populations, with considerable variation in the prevalence values among the biogeographic provinces. Like any public health issue, this problem should be handled with a comprehensive approach that involves deworming programs and strategies for STH control according to the specific epidemiological and socioeconomic conditions and sanitation service coverage in each biogeographic province. The program should be further supported by intersectoral action to improve living conditions, particularly the excreta disposal, promoted at municipality levels. STH infection (infection by A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, and hookworms) are endemic in Colombia; however, its prevalence in the country has not been described within the last 30 years. This study determines the prevalence and intensity of STH infections, nutritional status, and anemia in children, using multistage stratified probability sampling. The prevalence result of all STH at national level was 29.6%. T. trichiura was the most prevalent (18.4%), followed by A. lumbricoides (11.3%), and hookworms (6.4%). Comparing the biogeographic provinces (eco-epidemiological zones), Amazonía had the highest STH prevalence. A large spatial variation was found in STH prevalence by province. The study shows that STH infection remains a national public health problem, which requires intervention through nationwide strategies using a comprehensive inter-programmatic approach and prioritizing high-risk areas. These strategies should aim at improving the living conditions associated with the infection while being supported by large-scale anthelmintic chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David José González Quiroz
- Epidemiology Group, National School of Public Health, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Catalina María Arango
- Epidemiology Group, National School of Public Health, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | - León Darío Bello Parias
- Epidemiology Group, National School of Public Health, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Leonardo Uribe Alzate
- Epidemiology Group, National School of Public Health, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | | | | | - Adriana Molina Giraldo
- Epidemiology Group, National School of Public Health, University of Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | - Ivet Del Carmen Pernett Bolaño
- Knowledge Management Group, Epidemiology and Demography Department, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Claudia Milena Cuellar Segura
- Knowledge Management Group, Epidemiology and Demography Department, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Bogotá, Colombia
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Asfaw MA, Zerdo Z, Churko C, Seife F, Yihune M, Chisha Y, Teshome A, Getachew B, Negussu N. Preventive chemotherapy coverage against soil-transmitted helminth infection among school age children: Implications from coverage validation survey in Ethiopia, 2019. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235281. [PMID: 32589660 PMCID: PMC7319348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain the most common neglected tropical diseases among children living mainly in low-resource settings. Preventive chemotherapy (PC) has been implemented as one of the main public health interventions to control and eliminate STH infections. Although data on routine coverage of PC against STH are available at different level of the health system; these data are unreliable as they are subject to errors and manipulation and evidence is lacking on validated treatment coverage. Thus, this study aimed to determine anthelminthic coverage among school age children (SAC) to inform decision made in PC program implementation. METHODS We conducted a community-based cross-sectional coverage survey in ten districts of Ethiopia; in April 2019. Sample size was computed automatically using Coverage Survey Builder (CSB) tool in Microsoft excel. Thirty segments were randomly selected per each selected districts. Collected data were cleaned and analysed using SPSS software (IBM, version 25). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS In all, 8154 SAC participated in the study. The overall anthelminthic coverage was found to be 71% (95%confidence interval (CI) = 70-71.9%). The reported coverage was lower than the surveyed coverage only in Guagusa district. The PC coverage among males (71.9%) was slightly higher than females' coverage (70%); and the coverage in the age group between10 and 14 years (77%) was higher compared with the age group between 5 and 9 years (64.3%). In addition, the PC coverage in school attending children (81.1%) was much higher than coverage in non-enrolled children (28.3%). Moreover, the most frequently mentioned reasons for not swallowing drugs were drug not given (24.75%) and not attending school (19.75%). CONCUSSION This study showed that only five out of ten districts met the target threshold (minimum 75%) for effective coverage. Hence, implementations of preventive chemotherapy should be improved in those districts with low coverage data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mekuria Asnakew Asfaw
- Collaborative Research and Training Centre for NTDs, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Zerihun Zerdo
- Collaborative Research and Training Centre for NTDs, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Chuchu Churko
- Collaborative Research and Training Centre for NTDs, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Fikre Seife
- Neglected Tropical Diseases, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Manaye Yihune
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Yilma Chisha
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | - Abinet Teshome
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
| | | | - Nebiyu Negussu
- Neglected Tropical Diseases, Federal Ministry of Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Pion SDS, Chesnais CB, Awaca-Uvon NP, Vlaminck J, Abdou A, Kunyu-Shako B, Kuyangisa Simuna G, Tambwe JP, Weil GJ, Boussinesq M. The impact of four years of semiannual treatments with albendazole alone on lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections: A community-based study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008322. [PMID: 32574160 PMCID: PMC7337406 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization now recommends semiannual mass drug administration (MDA) of albendazole with integrated vector management as an option for eliminating lymphatic filariasis (LF) in areas of loiasis-endemic countries where it may not be safe to use diethylcarbamazine or ivermectin in MDA programs. However, the published evidence base to support this policy is thin, and uptake by national programs has been slow. Methodology/Principal findings We conducted a community trial to assess the impact of semiannual MDA on lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections (STH) in two villages in the Bandundu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo with moderately high prevalences for LF and hookworm infections. MDA with albendazole was provided every six months from June 2014 to December 2017 with treatment coverages of the eligible population (all ≥ 2 year of age) that ranged between 56% and 88%. No adverse effects were reported during the trial. Evaluation at 48 months, (i.e. 6 months after the 8th round of MDA), showed that W. bancrofti microfilaremia (Mf) prevalence in the study communities had decreased between 2014 to 2018 from 12% to 0.9% (p<0.001). The prevalence of W. bancrofti antigenemia was also significantly reduced from 31.6% to 8.5% (p<0.001). MDA with albendazole also reduced hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infection prevalences in the community from 58.6% to 21.2% (p<0.001), from 14.0% to 1.6% and 4.1% to 2.9%, respectively. Hookworm and Ascaris infection intensities were reduced by 93% (p = 0.02) and 57% (p = 0.03), respectively. In contrast, Trichuris infection intensity was not significantly reduced by MDA (p = 0.61) over this time period. Conclusion/Significance These results provide strong evidence that semiannual MDA with albendazole alone is a safe and effective strategy for LF elimination in Central Africa. Community MDA also had a major impact on STH infections. In low-income rural settings of Africa, populations are commonly affected by multiple parasitic diseases. Some of these diseases have been targeted for elimination through dedicated national or international programs. In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined a specific strategy to eliminate lymphatic filariasis, the disease responsible for elephantiasis, in central Africa. This strategy consists in treating the whole population living in endemic areas every six months with a single donated drug—albendazole. Together with the use of the night bed nets distributed as part of malaria programs, it was expected that this strategy could interrupt the transmission and eliminate lymphatic filariasis locally within period of 4 to 7 years. Here, we evaluated this strategy in two endemic communities near Bandundu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We also assessed the impact of the semiannual community treatments on three species of gastrointestinal parasitic worms. Our results suggest that semiannual MDA with albendazole is effective for LF elimination in Central Africa, but they also indicate that drug-based only intervention is not enough to eliminate gastrointestinal worm infections in areas with high transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien D. S. Pion
- French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Montpellier, France
- * E-mail:
| | - Cédric B. Chesnais
- French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Johnny Vlaminck
- Ministry of health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Anlimou Abdou
- French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Montpellier, France
| | - Billy Kunyu-Shako
- National Institute of Biomedical Research, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| | | | | | - Gary J. Weil
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Michel Boussinesq
- French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, Montpellier, France
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Aramendia AA, Anegagrie M, Zewdie D, Dacal E, Saugar JM, Herrador Z, Hailu T, Yimer M, Periago MV, Rodriguez E, Benito A. Epidemiology of intestinal helminthiases in a rural community of Ethiopia: Is it time to expand control programs to include Strongyloides stercoralis and the entire community? PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008315. [PMID: 32497042 PMCID: PMC7297378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soil transmitted helminths are highly prevalent worldwide. Globally, approximately 1.5 billion people are infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura or hookworm. Endemic countries carry out periodic mass treatment of at-risk populations with albendazole or mebendazole as a control measure. Most prevalence studies have focused on school aged children and therefore control programs are implemented at school level, not at community level. In this study, the prevalence of intestinal helminths, including Strongyloides stercoralis, was examined using a comprehensive laboratory approach in a community in north-western Ethiopia. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 792 individuals ≥5 years old in randomly selected houses in a rural district. Stools were examined using three techniques: a formol-ether concentration, the Baermann technique and a real time polymerase chain reaction test (these last two specific for S. stercoralis). Statistical analyses were performed between two large age groups, children (≤14 years old) and adults (≥15 years old). RESULTS The prevalence of helminths was 91.3%; (95% CI: 89.3-93.3%). Hookworm was the most prevalent, 78.7% (95% CI 75.6-81.4%), followed by S. stercoralis 55.7% (95% CI 52.2-59.1%). Co-infection with both was detected in 45.4% (95% CI 42.0-49.0%) of the participants. The mean age of hookworm-infected individuals was significantly higher than non-infected ones (p = 0.003). Also, S. stercoralis infection was significantly associated with age, being more prevalent in adults (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS This is the highest prevalence of S. stercoralis detected in Ethiopia so far. Our results highlight the need of searching specifically for infection by this parasite since it usually goes unnoticed if helminth studies rely only on conventional diagnostic techniques, i.e. Kato-Katz. Moreover, the focus of these programs on children undermines the actual prevalence of hookworm. The adult population acts as a reservoir for both hookworm and S. stercoralis and this fact may negatively impact the current control programs in Ethiopia which only target treatment of school aged children. This reservoir, together with a lack of adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, increases the probability of re-infection in children. Finally, the high prevalence of S. stercoralis found calls for a comprehensive diagnostic approach in endemic areas in addition to a revision of control measures that is, adding ivermectin to current albendazole/mebendazole, since it is the drug of choice for S. stercoralis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aranzazu Amor Aramendia
- Mundo Sano Foundation, Madrid, Spain
- National Center for Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Melaku Anegagrie
- Mundo Sano Foundation, Madrid, Spain
- National Center for Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Derjew Zewdie
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Elena Dacal
- Laboratory of Reference and Research on Parasitology, National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose M. Saugar
- Laboratory of Reference and Research on Parasitology, National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Zaida Herrador
- National Center for Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tadesse Hailu
- Laboratory of Reference and Research on Parasitology, National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mulat Yimer
- Laboratory of Reference and Research on Parasitology, National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María V. Periago
- Mundo Sano Foundation, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Esperanza Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Reference and Research on Parasitology, National Centre for Microbiology, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustín Benito
- National Center for Tropical Medicine, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Nisha M, Aiman M, Asyhira N, Syafiq H, Atiqah N, Kumarasamy V, Tan MP, Davamani F. Risk factors associated with soil transmitted helminth (STH) infection in two indigenous communities in Malaysia. Trop Biomed 2020; 37:379-388. [PMID: 33612807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) could possibly cause mild to severe health effects such as diarrhea, weakness, intestinal blood loss, and impaired cognitive development and growth. In Malaysia, previous studies depicted a high prevalence rate of STH was due to poor hygiene practice and low efficacies of anthelminthic drugs. This study was conducted to investigate hand hygiene practice and WASH criteria's (Water, sanitation and hygiene) related to STH infection among two indigenous tribes in Peninsular Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was carried out to study the relationship among STH infection compared to water quality, sanitation, and hygiene conditions. A total of 190 individuals from two indigenous villages participated in the study, with ages ranging from 5 to 60 years old. In addition, Pearson's Chisquare (X2) test was utilized to test the relationship among STH with demographic socioeconomic and behavioral factors. The confidence interval (CI) of 95% is used to estimate the precision of the odds ratio (OR). Multivariate logistic regression models were also used to identify the risk factors associated with STH infections. The overall findings indicated a prevalence rate of 72% for STH, and distributed mainly among children aged < 12 years. Furthermore, multivariate analyses using logistic regression revealed chronic health problems, incorrect hand washing, and walking bare footed were associated with STH infection. Overall results indicated high prevalence of STH among the indigenous villagers, which aligns with the published literature and proves to be a problem need to be addressed as neglected disease. Interestingly, there was a significant relationship between the presences of chronic diseases and STH infection, which prompted other questions the awareness needs to be educated and the simple and low-cost intervention on the proper way of hand washing may help to reduce STH infection in these indigenous communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Nisha
- Investigative Biomedical Science Research Cluster, Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL MESTECH), A1-1, Jalan TKS 1, Taman Kajang Sentral, Selangor, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - M Aiman
- Investigative Biomedical Science Research Cluster, Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL MESTECH), A1-1, Jalan TKS 1, Taman Kajang Sentral, Selangor, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - N Asyhira
- Investigative Biomedical Science Research Cluster, Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL MESTECH), A1-1, Jalan TKS 1, Taman Kajang Sentral, Selangor, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - H Syafiq
- Investigative Biomedical Science Research Cluster, Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL MESTECH), A1-1, Jalan TKS 1, Taman Kajang Sentral, Selangor, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - N Atiqah
- Investigative Biomedical Science Research Cluster, Institute of Medical Science Technology, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL MESTECH), A1-1, Jalan TKS 1, Taman Kajang Sentral, Selangor, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - V Kumarasamy
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, MAHSA University, Jalan SP 2, Bandar Saujana Putra, 42610, Jenjarum, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - M P Tan
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya
| | - F Davamani
- International Medical University (IMU), No. 126, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 19, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Singer R, Xu TH, Herrera LNS, Villar MJ, Faust KM, Hotez PJ, Aiken ARA, Mejia R. Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in a Low-Income Texas Community. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:1386-1395. [PMID: 32207401 PMCID: PMC7253135 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis affects an estimated hundreds of millions of people worldwide, with infection possibly persisting for life without appropriate therapy because of the helminth's unique autoinfection cycle. Like other soil-transmitted helminths, because of the environmental conditions required for the life cycle of Strongyloides stercoralis, this parasite is endemic to tropical, subtropical, and temperate countries and areas with inadequate sanitation infrastructure. Given continued poverty and that nearly one in five American homes are lacking proper sanitation systems, many U.S. regions are at risk for intestinal parasites. A central Texas community was chosen as the study site, given previous reports of widespread sanitation failure, degree of poverty, and community willingness to participate. A total of 92 households were surveyed and residents tested for nine intestinal parasites using a multi-parallel quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and ELISA serology. From 43 stool samples, 27 (62.8%) tested positive for Blastocystis spp. and one (2.3%) for Giardia lamblia. From 97 serum samples, Strongyloides serology detected 16 (16.5%) positive individuals. These high rates of heterokont and helminthic laboratory findings in a peri-urban central Texas community suggest several key policy implications, including that strongyloidiasis should be added to the Texas notifiable conditions list, that clinical suspicion for this infection should be heightened in the region, and that residents without access to functioning and sustainable sanitation infrastructure should be provided that access as a basic human right and to promote public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Singer
- Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Teena Huan Xu
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Lauren Nicholas S. Herrera
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Maria Jose Villar
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Kasey M. Faust
- Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Peter J. Hotez
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Abigail R. A. Aiken
- Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Rojelio Mejia
- Department of Pediatrics: Tropical Medicine, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Zhu HH, Huang JL, Zhu TJ, Zhou CH, Qian MB, Chen YD, Zhou XN. National surveillance on soil-transmitted helminthiasis in the People's Republic of China. Acta Trop 2020; 205:105351. [PMID: 31958411 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are widely distributed and remain a public health problem in the People's Republic of China. Altogether, 301 counties across 30 regions were investigated during the national surveillance on STHs carried out in 2016 based on the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method to examine faecal samples. A total of 305 081 people were investigated with 7 366 (2.4%) found to be infected. The infection rates were the following: hookworm 1.4%, Ascaris lumbricoides 0.8% and Trichuris trichiura 0.5%. Having established that the STHs infection rate is relatively low, it is time to move towards elimination. The national surveillance system is essential for providing basic data and formulation of useful control strategies towards achieving this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Hui Zhu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ji-Lei Huang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ting-Jun Zhu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chang-Hai Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Men-Bao Qian
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ying-Dan Chen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, China.
| | - Xiao-Nong Zhou
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and Technology; Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai 200025, China.
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Guedes L, Borba VH, Camacho M, Neto J, Dias O, Iñiguez AM. African helminth infection out of Africa: Paleoparasitological and paleogenetic investigations in Pretos Novos cemetery, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1769-1830). Acta Trop 2020; 205:105399. [PMID: 32081659 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pretos Novos cemetery (PNC), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1769-1830) was created exclusively to bury enslaved Africans who died upon arrival at the city or before being sold in the slave market. The PNC site may be unique in the Americas in allowing the study of African parasite infections acquired in Africa. We aimed to identify parasites infecting PNC individuals through paleoparasitological and paleogenetic analyses. The bodies had been dismembered, placed in mass graves, and burned, and most human remains collected from the site are highly fragmented and show extensive degradation. Sacrum and pelvic sediments were collected from five individuals along with seven samples of sediment from other areas of the body, as controls. Samples were submitted to three parasitological techniques and, in paleogenetic analysis, to four molecular targets. Larvae, mites, pollen grains, and structure suggestive of plants and fungus were observed, but we found no evidence of helminth infection. Ascaris sp. cytb sequence was recovered in one individual. We emphasize that, even with the extensive degradation of PNC human remains and the process of curation of samples, it was possible to recover helminth aDNA. The origin of PNC individuals confirms that these infections were brought to Brazil from western and central Africa during the colonial era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucélia Guedes
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LABTRIP/IOC/FIOCRUZ). Avenida Brasil, 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 21045-900, Brazil
| | - Victor Hugo Borba
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LABTRIP/IOC/FIOCRUZ). Avenida Brasil, 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 21045-900, Brazil
| | - Morgana Camacho
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LABTRIP/IOC/FIOCRUZ). Avenida Brasil, 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 21045-900, Brazil
| | - Jandira Neto
- Instituto de Arqueologia Brasileira (IAB). Estr. Cruz Vermelha, 45 - Vila Santa Teresa, Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 26193-415, Brazil
| | - Ondemar Dias
- Instituto de Arqueologia Brasileira (IAB). Estr. Cruz Vermelha, 45 - Vila Santa Teresa, Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 26193-415, Brazil
| | - Alena Mayo Iñiguez
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LABTRIP/IOC/FIOCRUZ). Avenida Brasil, 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 21045-900, Brazil.
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Geyer RE, Ibikounlé M, Emmanuel-Fabula M, Roll A, Avokpaho E, Elijan A, Wèkè LC, Togbevi CI, Chabi F, Houngbégnon P, Luty AJF, Yard E, Walson JL, Graham S, Means AR. Gender norms and mass deworming program access in Comé, Benin: A qualitative assessment of gender-associated opportunities and challenges to achieving high mass drug administration coverage. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008153. [PMID: 32302298 PMCID: PMC7164589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization’s Neglected Tropical Disease Roadmap has accelerated progress towards eliminating select neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). This momentum has catalyzed research to determine the feasibility of interrupting transmission of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) using community-wide mass drug administration (MDA). This study aims to identify potential gender-specific facilitators and barriers to accessing and participating in community-wide STH MDA, with the goal of ensuring programs are equitable and maximize the probability of interrupting STH transmission. This research was conducted prior to the launch of community-wide MDA for STH in Comé, Benin. A total of 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted separately among 40 men, 38 women, and 15 community drug distributors (CDDs). Salient themes included: both men and women believe that community-wide MDA would reduce the financial burden associated with self-treatment, particularly for low income adults. Community members believe MDA should be packaged alongside water, sanitation, and other health services. Women feel past community-wide programs have been disorganized and are concerned these distributions will be similar. Women also expressed interest in increased engagement in the implementation of future community-based public health programs. Men often did not perceive themselves to be at great risk for STH infection and did not express a high demand for treatment. Finally, the barriers discussed by CDDs generally did not align with gender-specific concerns, but rather represented concerns shared by both genders. A door-to-door distribution strategy for STH MDA is preferred by women in this study, as this platform empowers women to participate as health decision makers for their family. In addition, involving women in planning and implementation of community-wide programs may help to increase treatment coverage and compliance. Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) affect an estimated 1.5 billion people globally. The DeWorm3 Project is investigating if it is possible to interrupt transmission of STH with community-wide deworming of individuals of all ages. We conducted focus group discussions with adult men, women, and community drug distributors (CDDs) in Comé, Benin to identify gender-specific facilitators and barriers to accessing and participating in community-wide mass drug administration (MDA) programs. Our findings suggest that door-to-door community-wide MDA may not only improve MDA treatment coverage by increasing access but may also empower women by facilitating increased decision making on behalf of their regarding who is treated and where. Additionally, women may be an untapped resource for strategically reaching missed populations and women reported seeking increased involvement within the deworming of their families. Men did not perceive themselves to be at risk and thus did not have high demand for deworming. Both genders reported that they struggle to afford deworming drugs outside of MDA and that MDA coverage would be higher if treatment was integrated with water and sanitation services. Finally, CDDs generally identified only barriers and facilitators to MDA that were shared by both genders and may require more training to ensure MDA programs are equitable and effectively engage all at risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E. Geyer
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Moudachirou Ibikounlé
- Département de Zoologie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi 01BP526, Cotonou, Benin
- Institute de Recherche Clinique du Bénin, Cotonou, Benin
| | - Mira Emmanuel-Fabula
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Amy Roll
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | | | - Abiguel Elijan
- Institute de Recherche Clinique du Bénin, Cotonou, Benin
| | | | | | - Félicien Chabi
- Institute de Recherche Clinique du Bénin, Cotonou, Benin
| | | | | | - Elodie Yard
- Division of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Judd L. Walson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
- Division of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Graham
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
| | - Arianna Rubin Means
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, United States of America
- Division of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
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132
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Debaveye S, De Smedt D, Heirman B, Kavanagh S, Dewulf J. Quantifying the handprint-Footprint balance into a single score: The example of pharmaceuticals. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229235. [PMID: 32069318 PMCID: PMC7028282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Life Cycle Assessment typically focuses on the footprint of products and services, expressed on three Areas of Protection (AoP): Human Health, Ecosystems and Resources. While the handprint is often expressed qualitatively, quantified handprints have recently been compared directly to the footprint concerning one AoP: Human Health. We propose to take this one step further by simultaneously comparing the quantified handprint and footprint on all AoPs through normalization and weighting of the results towards a single score. We discuss two example cases of a pharmaceutical treatment: mebendazole to treat soil-transmitted helminthiases and paliperidone palmitate to treat schizophrenia. Each time, treatment is compared to 'no treatment'. The footprint of health care is compared to the handprint of improved patient health. The handprint and footprint were normalized separately. To include sensitivity in the normalization step we applied four sets of external normalization factors for both handprint (Global Burden of Disease) and footprint (ReCiPe and PROSUITE). At the weighting step we applied 26 sets of panel weighting factors from three sources. We propose the Relative Sustainability Benefit Rate (RSBR) as a new metric to quantify the relative difference in combined handprint and footprint single score between two alternatives. When only considering the footprint, the first case study is associated with an increased single score burden of treatment compared to 'no treatment', while in the second case study treatment reduces the single score burden by 41.1% compared to 'no treatment'. Also including the handprint provided new insights for the first case study, now showing a decrease of 56.4% in single score burden for treatment compared to 'no treatment'. For the second case study the reduction of single score burden was confirmed as the handprint burden was also decreased because of treatment by 9.9%, reinforcing the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam Debaveye
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Delphine De Smedt
- Department of Public Health, Ghent University, Campus UZ, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert Heirman
- Johnson & Johnson Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Shane Kavanagh
- Health Economics, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jo Dewulf
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Ghent, Belgium
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Oliveira YLDC, Oliveira LM, Oliveira YLM, Nascimento AMD, La Corte R, Geraldi RM, Barbosa L, Gazzinelli-Guimarães PH, Fujiwara RT, Bueno LL, Dolabella SS. Changes in the epidemiological profile of intestinal parasites after a school-based large-scale treatment for soil-transmitted helminths in a community in northeastern Brazil: Epidemiological profile after large-scale school-based treatment for STH. Acta Trop 2020; 202:105279. [PMID: 31758913 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal parasites cause a significant public health problem worldwide due to the associated morbidities, mainly in infected school-aged children (SAC). The strategy of large-scale deworming in SAC to control the transmission of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) has been advocated by the World Health Organization and was recently adopted in Brazil; however, the long-term effects of mass deworming on the larger parasitological profile have been less studied. After a five-year period of school-based large-scale treatment for STH using an annual single dose of albendazole in a community of Sergipe state, Brazil, a marked reduction in prevalence was observed (15.4%% vs.7.4% for Ascaris sp., 6.0%% vs. 0.4% for hookworm, and 12.8%% vs. 4.5%% for Trichuris trichiura), with the exception of Strongyloides stercoralis, which had no statistically significant change in prevalence. There was, however, an increase in the prevalence of intestinal protozoans, specifically Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar (0.0%% vs. 36.0%), Blastocystis hominis (0.0%% vs. 40.1%), and Giardia duodenalis (5.6%% vs. 14.5%). Although the findings showed a dramatic reduction in the prevalence of STH after four rounds of preventive chemotherapy, there was an increase in intestinal protozoan infections, indicating a change in the epidemiological profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvanna L D C Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Center of Biology and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil.
| | - Luciana M Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Center of Biology and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil.
| | - Yrna L M Oliveira
- Department of Morphology, Center of Biology and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil.
| | - Ana M D Nascimento
- Department of Morphology, Center of Biology and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil.
| | - Roseli La Corte
- Department of Morphology, Center of Biology and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo M Geraldi
- Department of Morphology, Center of Biology and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil.
| | - Luciene Barbosa
- Department of Morphology, Center of Biology and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil.
| | - Pedro H Gazzinelli-Guimarães
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo T Fujiwara
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Lilian L Bueno
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Silvio S Dolabella
- Department of Morphology, Center of Biology and Health Sciences, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil.
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Toychiev A, Mirzoeva M, Davis N, Islamova J, Osipova S. Pityriasis alba: Possible associations with intestinal helminths and pathogenic protozoa. Int J Clin Pract 2020; 74:e13441. [PMID: 31633268 DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.13441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aetiology of pityriasis alba (PA) remains uncertain, and children are at risk for PA and intestinal parasites. AIM To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in PA patients and to evaluate their possible role in PA pathogenesis. METHODS Overall, 180 PA patients and 100 healthy individuals were enrolled. Intestinal parasites were diagnosed by triple coproscopy, and the total serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were determined by ELISA. PA patients with intestinal parasites were treated with conventional antiparasitic drugs. Patient response to antiparasitic therapy was evaluated after 6 weeks. RESULTS The prevalence of intestinal parasites in PA patients and controls was 60 ± 3.6% and 32 ± 4.6%, respectively (P < .0001). Regardless of the parasite species among the PA patients and control individuals, the total IgE levels were significantly higher in PA patients (P ≤ .05). The highest values of IgE were found in PA patients with Hymenolepis nana (641.7 ± 46.3 IU/mL). The total IgE level in PA patients with parasites decreased after antiparasitic therapy, but the reduction was only significant in patients with H. nana (P < .05). Complete disappearance of hypopigmented patches was observed after the elimination of H. nana, Giardia lamblia and Enterobius vermicularis in 65 ± 10.6%, 48.7 ± 8.0% and 33.3 ± 8.2% of cases, respectively. In total, a positive clinical response to antiparasitic therapy was achieved in 60 ± 4.7% of infected PA patients. CONCLUSION A positive clinical response to antiparasitic therapy indicates the role of intestinal parasites in PA pathogenesis. Parasitological examination is justified by the recovery of 60 ± 4.7% of infected PA patients after the elimination of intestinal parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdurakhim Toychiev
- Department of Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, the Research Institute of Epidemiology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Mexriniso Mirzoeva
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bukhara state medical institute, Bukhara, Uzbekistan
| | - Nikolay Davis
- Department of Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, the Research Institute of Epidemiology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Jannat Islamova
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, the Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances named acad. S. Yu. Yunusov, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
| | - Svetlana Osipova
- Department of Immunology of Parasitic Diseases, the Research Institute of Epidemiology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
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135
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Dukpa T, Dorji N, Thinley S, Wangchuk, Tshering K, Gyem K, Wangmo D, Sherpa PL, Dorji T, Montresor A. Soil-Transmitted Helminth infections reduction in Bhutan: A report of 29 years of deworming. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227273. [PMID: 31899772 PMCID: PMC6941809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections affect over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Although prevalent in all age groups, school aged children are a high-risk groups for STH infections. In Bhutan, epidemiological data on STH were collected from western Bhutan in 2003, which found a prevalence of 16.5%. However, little evidence is available on the prevalence of infection at national level. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim to assess the prevalence and intensity of STH infections, and identify significant correlates of STH among students. A school-based survey was conducted in three regions of Bhutan. Two-stage cluster sampling was adopted to select a sample of 1500 students from 24 schools, in equal proportion from three regions of the country. A total of 1456 (97%) students were interviewed and their stool sample examined for the presence of parasites. Mini-FLOTAC technique was used to detect the parasite eggs/ova. The prevalence of any STH infection was 1.4%, with 0.8% Ascaris lumbricoides, 0.5% Trichuris trichiura and 0.2% hookworms. The eastern region had the highest prevalence at 2.3%. Except for one student who had moderate intensity of A. lumbricoides, the rest had light infection. Any STH presence was significantly associated with father's occupation, father's education level, type of house and the flooring of the house in which students reported to live. No significant associations were observed between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) variables measured and presence of any STH infection. The prevalence of STH was found to be very low with primarily light intensity in this study. Nonetheless, it was also found that the sanitation situation is not ideal in the country, with several students reporting constant or partial open defecation leading to environmental contamination. Based on this prevalence and in line with the WHO guideline, it is recommended that deworming be reduced to once a year in combination with concerted health education on proper hygiene and sanitation practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tshering Dukpa
- Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Nidup Dorji
- Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Sangay Thinley
- Comprehensive School Health Programme, Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Wangchuk
- Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Karma Tshering
- Department of Microbioloy, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Kinley Gyem
- Royal Center for Disease Control, Thimphu Bhutan
| | - Diki Wangmo
- Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Passang Lhamo Sherpa
- Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan
| | - Tshering Dorji
- Laboratory Unit, Trashigang District Hospital, Trashigang, Bhutan
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Haldeman MS, Nolan MS, Ng'habi KRN. Human hookworm infection: Is effective control possible? A review of hookworm control efforts and future directions. Acta Trop 2020; 201:105214. [PMID: 31600519 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.105214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Human hookworm, a soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection caused by either Necator americanus or Anclystoma duodenale, is a major cause of morbidity globally and predominantly affects the world's poorest populations. Transmitted primarily by larval invasion of exposed skin, the adults inhabit the host small intestine, where they consume host blood. The resultant chronic iron deficiency anemia can lead to stunted growth and cognitive deficits in children, reduced work capacity in adults, and a variety of pregnancy complications. Historically, successful STH elimination has only been achieved in regions with concomitant significant economic growth. Since 2001, control of the STHs has been attempted via single-dose mass deworming of at-risk school-aged and preschool-aged children within STH-endemic countries, with the goal of morbidity reduction. Research questioning this strategy has grown in recent years, and current studies are evaluating the effectiveness of novel deworming strategies, including multidrug regimens and expansion of deworming to entire communities. While footwear campaigns may be associated with reduced odds of hookworm infection, the evidence supporting the impact of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions upon hookworm is mixed. Progress towards a human hookworm vaccine continues, with promising results from recent Phase 1 trials and several others ongoing. Integrated STH control programs, which combine mass deworming with WASH interventions, are relatively unstudied but may be a promising advancement. Whether interruption of STH transmission can be achieved apart from significant economic growth remains unanswered, but likely the implementation of intensive, integrated control programs will be necessary to achieve that goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Haldeman
- Department of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA.
| | - Melissa S Nolan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
| | - Kija R N Ng'habi
- Mbeya College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Dar Es Salaam, Mbeya, Tanzania
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Kamara W, Zoerhoff KL, Toubali EH, Hodges MH, Bisanzio D, Chowdhury D, Sonnie M, Magbity E, Samai M, Conteh A, Macarthy F, Baker M, Koroma JB. Are census data accurate for estimating coverage of a lymphatic filariasis MDA campaign? Results of a survey in Sierra Leone. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224422. [PMID: 31856176 PMCID: PMC6922463 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preventive chemotherapy was administered to 3.2 million Sierra Leoneans in 13 health districts for lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and soil transmitted helminthes from October 2008 to February 2009. This paper aims to report the findings of a coverage survey conducted in 2009, compare the coverage survey findings with two reported rates for lymphatic filariasis coverage obtained using pre-mass drug administration (MDA) registration and national census projections, and use the comparison to understand the best source of population estimates in calculating coverage for NTD programming in Sierra Leone. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Community drug distributors (CDDs) conducted a pre- MDA registration of the population. Two coverage rates for MDA for lymphatic filariasis were subsequently calculated using the reported number treated divided by the total population from: 1) the pre-MDA register and 2) national census projections. A survey was conducted to validate reported coverage data. 11,602 persons participated (response rate of 76.8%). Overall, reported coverage data aggregated to the national level were not significantly different from surveyed coverage (z-test >0.05). However, estimates based on pre-MDA registration have higher agreement with surveyed coverage (mean Kendall's W = 0.68) than coverage calculated with census data (mean Kendall's = 0.59), especially in districts with known large-scale migration, except in a highly urban district where it was more challenging to conduct a pre-MDA registration appropriately. There was no significant difference between coverage among males versus females when the analyses were performed excluding those women who were pregnant at the time of MDA. The surveyed coverage estimate was near or below the minimum 65% epidemiological coverage target for lymphatic filariasis MDA in all districts. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE These results from Sierra Leone illustrate the importance of choosing the right denominator for calculating treatment coverage for NTD programs. While routinely reported coverage results using national census data are often good enough for programmatic decision making, census projections can quickly become outdated where there is substantial migration, e.g. due to the impact of civil war, with changing economic opportunities, in urban settings, and where there are large migratory populations. In districts where this is known to be the case, well implemented pre-MDA registration can provide better population estimates. Pre-MDA registration should, however, be implemented correctly to reduce the risk of missing pockets of the population, especially in urban settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wogba Kamara
- Statistics Sierra Leone, Circular Road, Tower Hill, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Emily H. Toubali
- Helen Keller International, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Donal Bisanzio
- RTI International, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | | | | | - Edward Magbity
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | | | - Abdulai Conteh
- Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program, New England, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Florence Macarthy
- Neglected Tropical Disease Control Program, New England, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Margaret Baker
- RTI International, Washington, DC, United States of America
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Arora N, Kaur R, Anjum F, Tripathi S, Mishra A, Kumar R, Prasad A. Neglected Agent Eminent Disease: Linking Human Helminthic Infection, Inflammation, and Malignancy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:402. [PMID: 31867284 PMCID: PMC6909818 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminthic parasitic infection is grossly prevalent across the globe and is considered a significant factor in human cancer occurrence induced by biological agents. Although only three helminths (Schistosoma haematobium, Clonorchis sinensis, and Opisthorchis viverrini) so far have been directly associated with carcinogenesis; there are evidence suggesting the involvement of other species too. Broadly, human helminthiasis can cause chronic inflammation, genetic instability, and host immune modulation by affecting inter- and intracellular communications, disruption of proliferation-anti-proliferation pathways, and stimulation of malignant stem cell progeny. These changes ultimately lead to tumor development through the secretion of soluble factors that interact with host cells. However, the detailed mechanisms by which helminths introduce and promote malignant transformation of host cells are still not clear. Here, we reviewed the current understanding of immune-pathogenesis of helminth parasites, which have been associated with carcinogenesis, and how these infections initiate carcinogenesis in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naina Arora
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - Rimanpreet Kaur
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - Farhan Anjum
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - Shweta Tripathi
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Karwar, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Institute for Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR), Palampur, India
| | - Amit Prasad
- School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, India
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Oswald WE, Halliday KE, Mcharo C, Witek-McManus S, Kepha S, Gichuki PM, Cano J, Diaz-Ordaz K, Allen E, Mwandawiro CS, Anderson RM, Brooker SJ, Pullan RL, Njenga SM. Domains of transmission and association of community, school, and household sanitation with soil-transmitted helminth infections among children in coastal Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007488. [PMID: 31765383 PMCID: PMC6901232 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Few studies have simultaneously examined the role of sanitation conditions at the home, school, and community on soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infection. We examined the contribution of each domain that children inhabit (home, village, and school) to STH infection and estimated the association of STH infection with sanitation in each domain. METHODS Using data from 4,104 children from Kwale County, Kenya, who reported attending school, we used logistic regression models with cross-classified random effects to calculate measures of general contextual effects and estimate associations of village sanitation coverage (percentage of households with reported access to sanitation), school sanitation coverage (number of usable toilets per enrolled pupil), and sanitation access at home with STH infection. FINDINGS We found reported use of a sanitation facility by households was associated with reduced prevalence of hookworm infection but not with reduced prevalence of T. trichiura infection. School sanitation coverage > 3 toilets per 100 pupils was associated with lower prevalence of hookworm infection. School sanitation was not associated with T. trichiura infection. Village sanitation coverage > 81% was associated with reduced prevalence of T. trichiura infection, but no protective association was detected for hookworm infection. General contextual effects represented by residual heterogeneity between village and school domains had comparable impact upon likelihood of hookworm and T. trichiura infection as sanitation coverage in either of these domains. CONCLUSION Findings support the importance of providing good sanitation facilities to support mass drug administration in reducing the burden of STH infection in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E. Oswald
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Katherine E. Halliday
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Mcharo
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stefan Witek-McManus
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Stella Kepha
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Pwani University Bioscience Research Centre, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Paul M. Gichuki
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jorge Cano
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karla Diaz-Ordaz
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Allen
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles S. Mwandawiro
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Roy M. Anderson
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon J. Brooker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel L. Pullan
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sammy M. Njenga
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
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Cha S, Elhag MS, Lee YH, Cho DS, Ismail HAHA, Hong ST. Epidemiological findings and policy implications from the nationwide schistosomiasis and intestinal helminthiasis survey in Sudan. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:429. [PMID: 31488219 PMCID: PMC6728938 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3689-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Assembly endorsed the WHO Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Roadmap in 2013, in which NTDs were suggested as tracers of equity in the assessment of progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Nationwide surveys were undertaken in all 18 states of Sudan to identify the geographical distribution and to estimate the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis and other intestinal helminthiases from December 2016 to March 2017. METHODS We used two-stage random sampling. Each district was subdivided into one to three different ecological zones (EZs) based on proximity to water bodies. Probability-proportional-to-size sampling was used to select schools from each EZ. We estimated schistosomiasis and intestinal helminthiasis prevalence by the centrifugation method and Kato-Katz smears. Multi-level mixed-effect models were used to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of infections and risk factors, including improved water or latrine status at the household or school level. We estimated the cost-effectiveness of a one-time mass drug administration (MDA) intervention with 75% coverage at the district and EZ levels. RESULTS A total of 105,167 students from 1772 schools were surveyed. The overall egg-positive rates were: Schistosoma haematobium, 5.2%; S. mansoni, 0.06%; and intestinal helminths, 5.47%. Severe endemic areas were concentrated in East and South Darfur States. Children living in a house or attending schools with an improved latrine were less likely to be infected with schistosomiasis than those without a latrine (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 0.45, 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.41-0.51 and aOR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.70-0.81 at the household or the school levels, respectively). Open defecation was strongly associated with schistosomiasis (aOR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.35-1.66). In community-wide mass treatment at the district level with an 8% threshold for schistosomiasis, 2.2 million people would not benefit from MDA interventions with 75% coverage despite high endemicity, whilst 1.7 million people would receive the MDA intervention unnecessarily. EZ-level MDA was estimated to be more cost-effective than district-level administration under all circumstances. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide updated prevalence figures to guide preventive chemotherapy programmes for schistosomiasis and intestinal helminthiasis in Sudan. Schistosomiasis was found to be common among the inhabitants of fragile and conflict-affected areas. In addition, we found that MDA interventions would be more cost-effective at the sub-district level than at the district level, and there was a strong association between schistosomiasis prevalence and latrine status, at both the household and school levels. This study will help the Sudanese government and its neighbouring countries develop adequate control and elimination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungman Cha
- Department of Global Development and Entrepreneurship, Graduate School of Global Development and Entrepreneurship, Handong Global University, Pohang, 37554 South Korea
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 07653 South Korea
- Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Mousab Siddig Elhag
- Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Control Directorate, Federal Ministry of Health, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Young-Ha Lee
- Department of Infection Biology and Department of Medical Science, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015 South Korea
| | - Dae-Seong Cho
- Korea Association of Health Promotion, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, 07653 South Korea
| | | | - Sung-Tae Hong
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Daehak-ro, Seoul, 03080 South Korea
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Ediriweera DS, Gunawardena S, Gunawardena NK, Iddawela D, Kannathasan S, Murugananthan A, Yahathugoda C, Pathmeswaran A, Diggle PJ, de Silva N. Reassessment of the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in Sri Lanka to enable a more focused control programme: a cross-sectional national school survey with spatial modelling. Lancet Glob Health 2019; 7:e1237-e1246. [PMID: 31331809 PMCID: PMC6688098 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30253-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Sri Lanka, deworming programmes for soil-transmitted helminth infections became an integral part of school health in the 1960s, whereas routine antenatal deworming with mebendazole started in the 1980s. A 2003 national soil-transmitted helminth survey done among schoolchildren found an overall prevalence of 6·9%. In our study, we aimed to reassess the national prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections to enable implementation of a more focused control programme that targets smaller administrative areas at risk of continued transmission. METHODS We did a cross-sectional, school-based, national survey using multistage stratified cluster sampling, covering all nine provinces as well as populations at high risk of soil-transmitted helminth infections living in urban slums and in plantation-sector communities. Our study population was children aged 5-7 years attending state schools. Faecal samples were collected and analysed with duplicate modified Kato-Katz smears. We modelled the risk of soil-transmitted helminth infection using generalised linear mixed-effects models, and we developed prevalence maps to enable informed decision making at the smallest health administrative level in the country. FINDINGS Between Jan 23 and May 9, 2017, we recruited 5946 children from 130 schools; 4276 (71·9%) children provided a faecal sample for examination. National prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infection was 0·97% (95% CI 0·63-1·48) among primary schoolchildren. Prevalence in the high-risk communities surveyed was higher than national prevalence: 2·73% (0·75-6·87) in urban slum communities and 9·02% (4·29-18·0) in plantation sector communities. Our prevalence maps showed that the lowest-level health administrative regions could be categorised into low risk (prevalence <1%), high risk (prevalence >10%), or intermediate risk (1-10%) areas. INTERPRETATION Our survey findings indicate that the national prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infection has continued to decline in Sri Lanka. On the basis of WHO guidelines, we recommend discontinuation of routine deworming in low-risk areas, continuation of annual deworming in high-risk areas, and deworming once every 2 years in intermediate-risk areas, for at least 4 years. FUNDING Task Force for Global Health and WHO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dileepa Senajith Ediriweera
- Centre for Health Informatics, Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka.
| | - Sharmini Gunawardena
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Devika Iddawela
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
| | - Selvam Kannathasan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
| | - Arumugam Murugananthan
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
| | - Channa Yahathugoda
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna, Galle, Sri Lanka
| | | | - Peter John Diggle
- Centre for Health Informatics, Computing and Statistics, University of Lancaster, Lancaster, UK
| | - Nilanthi de Silva
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Ragama, Sri Lanka
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Safi N, Warusavithana S, Shah Alawi SA, Atta H, Montresor A, Gabrielli AF. Elimination of morbidity due to soil-transmitted helminthiases among Afghan schoolchildren. Acta Trop 2019; 197:105035. [PMID: 31128094 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Large sectors of the Afghan population have limited access to safe water and sanitation, which increases the risk of transmission of water- and food- borne diseases, including Soil-Transmitted Helminth (STH) infections. STHs interfere with the human host's health status, and their burden of disease is highest among children of school age. Based on the results of a nationwide survey conducted in 2003, which showed an STH prevalence of 47.2%, and with the aim of reducing morbidity among school children, Afghanistan has been conducting nationwide deworming for preschool-age and school-age children since 2004. In 2017, 14 years after the first baseline assessment, a follow-up survey was carried out among schoolchildren aged 8-10 years to provide an update on STH epidemiology and facilitate evidence-informed planning of future deworming campaigns. Stool samples were collected from 2263 pupils aged 8-10 years in five provinces representing the different ecological zones of the country - Kabul, Balkh, Herat, Nangarhar and Kandahar. Microscopic examination was carried out by the Kato-Katz thick smear technique, to assess the presence and the number of parasites and/or their eggs. The survey revealed that 26.6% of the sample was infected with at least one of the STH, a marked decrease from the level registered in 2003. The most prevalent infection was the one with A. lumbricoides (25.7%), followed by T. trichiura (1.0%) and hookworms (0.1%). All positive children were noted to have light-intensity infections, compared to the previous survey where 9.7% of the sample had moderate-to-heavy intensity infections. Only 0.2% of the children had co-infection with two or more parasites. Meanwhile, 6.8% of the students were found infected with the dwarf tapeworm, Hymenolepis nana. The absence of infections of moderate-to-heavy intensity after several yearly rounds of deworming and overall improvements in provision of safe water and sanitation, indicates successful control of morbidity due to STH and, overall, their elimination as a public-health problem from Afghanistan. Nevertheless, current levels of prevalence of infection still show persistence of active transmission of STHs, thus justifying the continued implementation of mass deworming interventions among children. The permanent elimination of STH transmission, however, will be possible only when the country reaches a sanitation level sufficient to impede fecal contamination of the environment with human excreta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naimullah Safi
- World Health Organization Country Office, Kabul, Afghanistan.
| | | | - Sayed Ali Shah Alawi
- Child and Adolescent Health Department, General Directorate of Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Hoda Atta
- Division of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Albis Francesco Gabrielli
- Division of Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Halliday KE, Oswald WE, Mcharo C, Beaumont E, Gichuki PM, Kepha S, Witek-McManus SS, Matendechero SH, El-Busaidy H, Muendo R, Chiguzo AN, Cano J, Karanja MW, Musyoka LW, Safari TK, Mutisya LN, Muye IJ, Sidigu MA, Anderson RM, Allen E, Brooker SJ, Mwandawiro CS, Njenga SM, Pullan RL. Community-level epidemiology of soil-transmitted helminths in the context of school-based deworming: Baseline results of a cluster randomised trial on the coast of Kenya. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007427. [PMID: 31398204 PMCID: PMC6719894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02397772.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Halliday
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - William E. Oswald
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carlos Mcharo
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Emma Beaumont
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul M. Gichuki
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Stella Kepha
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Stefan S. Witek-McManus
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sultani H. Matendechero
- Neglected Tropical Diseases Unit, Division of Communicable Disease Prevention and Control, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Redempta Muendo
- Department of Health, County Government of Kwale, Kwale, Kenya
| | | | - Jorge Cano
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary W. Karanja
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Leah W. Musyoka
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tuva K. Safari
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lennie N. Mutisya
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Idris J. Muye
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maureen A. Sidigu
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Roy M. Anderson
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, School of Public Health, St Mary’s Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth Allen
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon J. Brooker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles S. Mwandawiro
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Sammy M. Njenga
- Eastern and Southern Africa Centre of International Parasite Control, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Rachel L. Pullan
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Cools P, Vlaminck J, Albonico M, Ame S, Ayana M, José Antonio BP, Cringoli G, Dana D, Keiser J, Maurelli MP, Maya C, Matoso LF, Montresor A, Mekonnen Z, Mirams G, Corrêa-Oliveira R, Pinto SA, Rinaldi L, Sayasone S, Thomas E, Verweij JJ, Vercruysse J, Levecke B. Diagnostic performance of a single and duplicate Kato-Katz, Mini-FLOTAC, FECPAKG2 and qPCR for the detection and quantification of soil-transmitted helminths in three endemic countries. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007446. [PMID: 31369558 PMCID: PMC6675048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Because the success of deworming programs targeting soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) is evaluated through the periodically assessment of prevalence and infection intensities, the use of the correct diagnostic method is of utmost importance. The STH community has recently published for each phase of a deworming program the minimal criteria that a potential diagnostic method needs to meet, the so-called target product profiles (TPPs). Methodology We compared the diagnostic performance of a single Kato-Katz (reference method) with that of other microscopy-based methods (duplicate Kato-Katz, Mini-FLOTAC and FECPAKG2) and one DNA-based method (qPCR) for the detection and quantification of STH infections in three drug efficacy trials in Ethiopia, Lao PDR, and Tanzania. Furthermore, we evaluated a selection of minimal diagnostic criteria of the TPPs. Principal findings All diagnostic methods showed a clinical sensitivity of ≥90% for all STH infections of moderate-to-heavy intensities. For infections of very low intensity, only qPCR resulted in a sensitivity that was superior to a single Kato-Katz for all STHs. Compared to the reference method, both Mini-FLOTAC and FECPAKG2 resulted in significantly lower fecal egg counts for some STHs, leading to a substantial underestimation of the infection intensity. For qPCR, there was a positive significant correlation between the egg counts of a single Kato-Katz and the DNA concentration. Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that the diagnostic performance of a single Kato-Katz is underestimated by the community and that diagnostic specific thresholds to classify intensity of infection are warranted for Mini-FLOTAC, FECPAKG2 and qPCR. When we strictly apply the TPPs, Kato-Katz is the only microscopy-based method that meets the minimal diagnostic criteria for application in the planning, monitoring and evaluation phase of an STH program. qPCR is the only method that could be considered in the phase that aims to seek confirmation for cessation of program. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03465488 To control the burden caused by intestinal worms, the World Health Organization recommends large-scale deworming programs where anti-worm drugs are administered to at-risk populations. The decision to scale down drug distribution is based on the periodically assessment of prevalence and intensity of infections using a standard diagnostic method. Today, the scientific community strongly doubts whether this method can be used throughout the program. This is in particular when it fails to detect infections of low intensity, and hence may result in prematurely stopping the distribution of drugs. We compared the diagnostic performance of alternative diagnostic methods in three drug efficacy trials in two African and one Asian country. The diagnostic methods were based on demonstration of worm eggs or worm DNA in stool. We also checked the results with minimal diagnostic criteria which have been recently been proposed by the scientific community. Our results indicate that of all diagnostic methods based on demonstration of worm eggs, only the current standard method fulfills the diagnostic criteria for planning, monitoring and evaluation phases of deworming program. Furthermore, we showed that DNA-based methods could be considered in the phase that aims to seek confirmation for cessation of the deworming program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piet Cools
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Johnny Vlaminck
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Marco Albonico
- Center for Tropical Diseases, Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar, Italy
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Italy
| | - Shaali Ame
- Public Health Laboratory-Ivo de Carneri, Chake Chake, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Mio Ayana
- Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | | | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Daniel Dana
- Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Jennifer Keiser
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria P. Maurelli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Catalina Maya
- Engineering Institute of National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Leonardo F. Matoso
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Research Center René Rachou—FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Zeleke Mekonnen
- Jimma University Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | | | - Rodrigo Corrêa-Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Research Center René Rachou—FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Simone A. Pinto
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Immunology, Research Center René Rachou—FIOCRUZ, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Somphou Sayasone
- Lao Tropical and Public Health Institute, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
| | | | - Jaco J. Verweij
- Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Jozef Vercruysse
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bruno Levecke
- Department of Virology, Parasitology and Immunology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article discusses select helminthic parasitic infections that may affect the central nervous system and reviews the epidemiology, neurologic presentation, recommended diagnostic testing, and treatment approach to these infections. RECENT FINDINGS Emigration from and travel to areas endemic for helminthic infections that affect the nervous system has led to increased incidence of parasitic neurologic disease in developed countries, necessitating that neurologists be familiar with the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to these diseases. Evidence is emerging on the optimal treatment for neurocysticercosis, which varies based on the form of the disease in the nervous system. SUMMARY Parenchymal neurocysticercosis is a leading cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide, and extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis is responsible for many cases of hydrocephalus. Recognition of the different stages and locations of neurocysticercosis is essential for proper management. Similarly, schistosomiasis constitutes a major cause of myelopathy in endemic areas and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to avoid permanent deficits.
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Giardina F, Coffeng LE, Farrell SH, Vegvari C, Werkman M, Truscott JE, Anderson RM, de Vlas SJ. Sampling strategies for monitoring and evaluation of morbidity targets for soil-transmitted helminths. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007514. [PMID: 31242194 PMCID: PMC6615707 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The current World Health Organization (WHO) target for the three major soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections is to reduce prevalence of moderate-to-heavy infections to below 1% by 2020. In terms of monitoring and evaluation (M&E), the current WHO guidelines for control of STHs recommend evaluation of infection levels in school-age children (SAC) after five to six years of preventive chemotherapy (PC), using the standard Kato-Katz faecal smear. Here, we assess the predictive performance of various sampling designs for the evaluation of the morbidity target. Methodology/Principal findings Using two mathematical models for STH transmission and control, we simulate how the number of villages and SAC sampled affect the ability of survey results in sentinel villages to predict the achievement of the morbidity target in PC implementation units (e.g. districts). As PC is stopped when the prevalence of infection in SAC in sentinel villages is less than 1%, we estimate the positive predictive value (PPV) of this indicator for meeting the morbidity target in the whole district. The PPV varies by species and PC strategy, and it is generally higher in areas with lower pre-control prevalence. Sampling a fixed number of SAC spread out over 10 instead of 5 sentinel villages may increase the PPV by up to 20 percentage points. If every SAC in a village is tested, a higher number of villages may increase the PPV by up to 80 percentage points. Increasing the proportion of SAC tested per village does not result in a relevant increase of PPV. Conclusions/Significance Although the WHO guidelines provide a combined strategy to control the three STH species, the efficacy of PC strategies clearly differs by species. There is added value in considering more villages within implementation units for M&E of morbidity targets, the extent varying by STH species. A better understanding of pre- and post-control local STH prevalence levels is essential for an adequate M&E strategy including the definition of morbidity targets at the appropriate geographical scale. Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) affect approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide. The World Health Organization target for STHs is to achieve <1% prevalence of moderate-to-heavy infections among school-age children (SAC) through preventive chemotherapy (PC) with albendazole or mebendazole. For monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of STH infections, it is recommended to assess the infection levels in SAC after five to six years of treatment and to stop PC if the prevalence of infection is <1%. In this study, we use two mathematical models to assess the predictive performance of different sampling designs for the evaluation of the morbidity target. We find that the efficacy of PC strategies differs significantly by species and pre-control infection levels. Achieving 1% prevalence of infection in sentinel villages may still imply a prevalence of moderate-to-heavy infections >1% in the entire PC implementation unit. Evaluating the prevalence of any infection over a higher number of sentinel villages improves the accuracy in assessing the morbidity target at the implementation unit level, even when a lower proportion of SAC per village is tested. A better understanding of pre- and post-control local STH prevalence levels through large scale data collection is essential for the definition of an adequate M&E strategy for STH control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Giardina
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Luc E. Coffeng
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sam H. Farrell
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Carolin Vegvari
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marleen Werkman
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The DeWorm3 Project, The Natural History Museum of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James E. Truscott
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The DeWorm3 Project, The Natural History Museum of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roy M. Anderson
- London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research (LCNTDR), Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The DeWorm3 Project, The Natural History Museum of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sake J. de Vlas
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Donohue RE, Cross ZK, Michael E. The extent, nature, and pathogenic consequences of helminth polyparasitism in humans: A meta-analysis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007455. [PMID: 31211774 PMCID: PMC6599140 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Individual helminth infections are ubiquitous in the tropics; geographical overlaps in endemicity and epidemiological reports suggest areas endemic for multiple helminthiases are also burdened with high prevalences of intestinal protozoan infections, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Despite this, pathogens tend to be studied in isolation, and there remains a need for a better understanding of the community ecology and health consequences of helminth polyparasitism to inform the design of effective parasite control programs. Methodology We performed meta-analyses to (i) evaluate the commonality of polyparasitism for helminth-helminth, helminth-intestinal protozoa, helminth-malaria, helminth-TB, and helminth-HIV co-infections, (ii) assess the potential for interspecies interactions among helminth-helminth and helminth-intestinal protozoan infections, and (iii) determine the presence and magnitude of association between specific parasite pairs. Additionally, we conducted a review of reported health consequences of multiply-infected individuals compared to singly- or not multiply-infected individuals. Principal findings We found that helminth-helminth and helminth-intestinal protozoan multiple infections were significantly more common than single infections, while individuals with malaria, TB, and HIV were more likely to be singly-infected with these infections than co-infected with at least one helminth. Most observed species density distributions significantly differed from the expected distributions, suggesting the potential presence of interspecies interactions. All significant associations between parasite pairs were positive in direction, irrespective of the combination of pathogens. Polyparasitized individuals largely exhibited lower hemoglobin levels and higher anemia prevalence, while the differences in growth-related variables were mostly statistically insignificant. Conclusions Our findings confirm that helminth polyparasitism and co-infection with major diseases is common in the tropics. A multitude of factors acting at various hierarchical levels, such as interspecies interactions at the within-host infra-parasite community level and environmental variables at the higher host community level, could explain the observed positive associations between pathogens; there remains a need to develop new frameworks which can consider these multilevel factors to better understand the processes structuring parasite communities to accomplish their control. Helminth infections are a highly prevalent global health problem. These parasitic worm infections occur in areas also burdened with intestinal protozoan infections, malaria, tuberculosis, and human immunodeficiency virus. While these pathogens tend to be studied in isolation, there remains a need to better understand the nature, extent, and health consequences of helminth polyparasitism and co-infection with major diseases. Here, we reviewed the literature and performed meta-analyses to evaluate the commonality of helminth polyparasitism and co-infection, the potential for interspecies interactions between parasites, the association between parasite pairs, and the health consequences among multiply-infected individuals. We confirmed that polyparasitism and co-infection with major diseases are common in the global South and found that multiply-infected individuals experienced worse health consequences when compared to singly or not-multiply infected individuals. Our analysis suggested the potential presence of interspecies interactions and we identified the existence of positive associations between parasite pairs. These findings support the call for integrating deworming into malaria, TB, and HIV treatment protocols and suggest there remains a need to improve our understanding of the factors influencing co-transmission to achieve sustainable parasite control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose E. Donohue
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Zoë K. Cross
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States of America
| | - Edwin Michael
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Azari-Hamidian S, Norouzi B, Harbach RE. A detailed review of the mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) of Iran and their medical and veterinary importance. Acta Trop 2019; 194:106-122. [PMID: 30898616 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are the most significant arthropods of medical importance because of the burden of diseases, such as malaria, encephalitis and filariasis, which are caused by pathogens and parasites they transmit to humans. In 2007, the most recently published checklist of Iranian mosquitoes included 64 species representing seven genera. Public databases were searched to the end of August 2018 for publications concerning the diseases in Iran caused by mosquito-borne pathogens. Pertinent information was extracted and analyzed, and the checklist of Iranian mosquitoes was updated. Six arboviral diseases, two bacterial diseases, four helminthic diseases and two protozoal diseases occur in Iran. The agents of these diseases are biologically or mechanically known or assumed to be transmitted by mosquitoes. The updated checklist of Iranian mosquitoes includes 69 species representing seven or 11 genera depending on the generic classification of aedines. There is no published information about the role of mosquitoes in the transmission of the causal agents of avian malaria, avian pox, bovine ephemeral fever, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, Sindbis fever, Deraiophoronema evansi infection, lymphatic filariasis, anthrax and tularemia in Iran. There is just one imported case of lymphatic filariasis, which is not endemic in the country. It seems arthropods do not play an important role in the epidemiology of anthrax and ixodid ticks are the main vectors of the tularemia bacterium. In view of the recent finding of only a few adults and larvae of Aedes albopictus in southeastern Iran and the absence of Ae. aegypti, it is not possible to infer the indigenous transmission of the dengue fever virus in Iran. Considering the importance of mosquito-borne diseases in the country, it is necessary to improve vector and vector-borne disease surveillance in order to apply the best integrated vector management interventions as a part of the One Health concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahyad Azari-Hamidian
- Research Center of Health and Environment, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran; School of Health, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
| | - Behzad Norouzi
- Research Center of Health and Environment, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Ralph E Harbach
- Department of Life Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, UK
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Dos S Jesus T, Dos S Costa R, Alcântara-Neves NM, Barreto ML, Figueiredo CA. Variants in the CYSLTR2 are associated with asthma, atopy markers and helminths infections in the Brazilian population. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2019; 145:15-22. [PMID: 31126515 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways and its most common phenotype is characterized by a T2 type response with IgE production and inflammatory mediators in response to common allergens. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs), LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, are mediators known to possess important proinflammatory action. CysLTs can bind to the Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor type 2 (CysLTR2) and activate an inflammatory. Polymorphisms in CysLTR2 have been associated with asthma and atopy, although the mechanism is not clear. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms in CYSLTR2 with asthma phenotypes, atopy markers and helminth infection. METHODS Genotyping was performed using a panel Illumina and carried out in 1245 participants of SCAALA program (Social Change, Asthma, Allergy in Latin American). Logistic regressions for asthma, helminth infections (Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides) and allergy markers (skin tests and IgE production) were performed using PLINK 1.9 software adjusted for sex, age, helminth infection and ancestry markers. RESULTS The G allele of rs1323556 was negatively associated with asthma in the additive model (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.93) and in the dominant model (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53-0.74). The G allele of rs1575464 was also negatively associated with asthma in two genetic models, additive (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.62-0.96) and dominant (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.97). The G allele of rs61735175 was positively associated with asthma severity in the additive model (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.07-2.77) and in the dominant model (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.09-2.85). Five SNVs were associated with atopy markers and four SNVs were associated with helminth infections. CONCLUSION Polymorphisms in the CYSLTR2 gene are associated with asthma, atopy markers and helminth infection in Brazilian individuals, which may lead to protection or risk for such conditions, however, more studies are needed to evaluate the functional of this variants here in described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talita Dos S Jesus
- Departamento de Biorregulação, Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n - Canela, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Ryan Dos S Costa
- Departamento de Biorregulação, Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n - Canela, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Neuza Maria Alcântara-Neves
- Departamento de Biorregulação, Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n - Canela, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Camila Alexandrina Figueiredo
- Departamento de Biorregulação, Laboratório de Imunofarmacologia e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Av. Reitor Miguel Calmon, s/n - Canela, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
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Bangert M, Bancalari P, Mupfasoni D, Mikhailov A, Gabrielli AF, Montresor A. Provision of deworming intervention to pregnant women by antenatal services in countries endemic for soil-transmitted helminthiasis. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2019; 13:e0007406. [PMID: 31083673 PMCID: PMC6532928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0007406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization has recently reemphasized the importance of providing preventive chemotherapy to women of reproductive age in countries endemic for soil-transmitted helminthiasis as they are at heightened risk of associated morbidity. The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program is responsible for collecting and disseminating accurate, nationally representative data on health and population in developing countries. Our study aims to estimate the number of pregnant women at risk of soil-transmitted helminthiasis that self-reported deworming by antenatal services in endemic countries that conducted Demographic and Health Surveys. Methodology/Principal findings The number of pregnant women living in endemic countries was extrapolated from the United Nations World Population Prospects 2015. National deworming coverage among pregnant women were extracted from Demographic and Health Surveys and applied to total numbers of pregnant women in the country. Sub-national DHS with data on self-reported deworming were available from 49 of the 102 endemic countries. In some regions more than 73% of STH endemic countries had a DHS. The DHS report an average deworming coverage of 23% (CI 19–28), ranging from 2% (CI 1–3) to 35% (CI 29–40) in the different regions, meaning more than 16 million pregnant women were dewormed in countries surveyed by DHS. The deworming rates amongst the 43 million pregnant women in STH endemic countries not surveyed by DHS remains unknown. Conclusions/Significance These estimates will serve to establish baseline numbers of deworming coverage among pregnant women, monitor progress, and urge endemic countries to continue working toward reducing the burden of soil-transmitted helminthiasis. The DHS program should be extended to STH-endemic countries currently not covering the topic of deworming during pregnancy. Soil-transmitted helminths are intestinal worms that cause significant suffering among the poorest communities in the world. They are transmitted via contaminated water, food or soil, all of which result from poor sanitation. Children and women of reproductive age are at heightened risk of related morbidities such as malnutrition, cognitive impairment and anaemia. Pregnant women are particularly susceptible to severe maternal and neonatal complications. Deworming drugs are cheap, safe, and effective in reducing morbidity related to soil-transmitted helminthiasis. Large scale drug administration campaigns have distributed donated medicines to children in endemic countries, but women of reproductive age are currently not well covered. Yet, demographic surveys show that they are being treated for soil-transmitted helminthiasis through health care services. This study provides estimates for the number of pregnant women at risk of soil-transmitted helminthiasis being dewormed by antenatal services in endemic countries conducting Demographic Health Surveys. These estimates mark the preliminary reference point for deworming coverage among pregnant women in endemic countries, and will thus prove useful for tracking overall progress in the ongoing effort to eliminate neglected tropical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathieu Bangert
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pilar Bancalari
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Denise Mupfasoni
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alexei Mikhailov
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Albis F. Gabrielli
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Antonio Montresor
- Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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