Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Molecules 2022 May 5;27(9). Epub 2022 May 5.

Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, Weinberg 3, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.

Neglected tropical diseases affect the world's poorest populations with soil-transmitted helminthiasis and schistosomiasis being among the most prevalent ones. Mass drug administration is currently the most important control measure, but the use of the few available drugs is giving rise to increased resistance of the parasites to the drugs. Different approaches are needed to come up with new therapeutic agents against these helminths. Read More

PeerJ 2022 5;10:e13401. Epub 2022 May 5.

Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Hosts and their microbiota and parasites have co-evolved in an adaptative relationship since ancient times. The interaction between parasites and intestinal bacteria in terms of the hosts' health is currently a subject of great research interest. Therapeutic interventions can include manipulations of the structure of the intestinal microbiota, which have immunological interactions important for modulating the host's immune system and for reducing inflammation. Read More

Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2022 Apr;34(2):128-140

School of Basic Medical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China.

Objective: To investigate long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-microRNA (miRNA)-messenger RNA (mRNA) interactions and identify the critical gene regulatory network during infections and praziquantel treatment using whole transcriptome sequencing.

Methods: A total of 110 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the control group, the infection group and the treatment group. Mice in the infection treatment and the control group were infected with cercariae via the abdomen, and liver specimens were sampled from 10 mice 3, 6, 8 weeks post-infection. Read More

Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za Zhi 2022 Apr;34(2):122-127

Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China.

Objective: To analyze the trends of human schistosomiasis prevalence in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the schistosomiasis elimination strategy in the province.

Methods: All data pertaining to human schistosomiasis prevalence in Hubei Province were collected from 2004 to 2018, and the trends for changes in seroprevalence, egg-positive rate and prevalence of human infection were analyzed using a Joinpoint regression model.

Results: Both of the numbers of residents seropositive and egg-positive for infections appeared a tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, and the prevalence of human infections reduced from 6. Read More

Radiol Clin North Am 2022 May;60(3):461-479

Alliar Group, Rua Ernesto Nazaré, 389 - Alto de Pinheiros, São Paulo, São Paulo 05462-000, Brazil.

Although many of the thoracic infections endemic to Africa are also present around the world, this article focuses on entities that are emerging or disproportionately affect populations living in sub-Saharan Africa. Important emerging or reemerging viral and bacterial diseases that commonly affect the lung include dengue fever, plague, leptospirosis, and rickettsioses. Most parasitic infections endemic to Africa can also manifest within the thorax, including malaria, amebiasis, hydatid disease, schistosomiasis, paragonimiasis, ascariasis, strongyloidiasis and cysticercosis. Read More

Radiol Clin North Am 2022 May;60(3):429-443

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Infectious diseases, including parasitic diseases, which are commonly associated with poverty and poor sanitation, continue to cause significant morbidity, disability, and mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean region. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and cardiothoracic imaging manifestation of several communicable diseases endemic to this region. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 May 6;16(5):e0010389. Epub 2022 May 6.

Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

Background: Reliable and field-applicable diagnosis of schistosome infections in non-human animals is important for surveillance, control, and verification of interruption of human schistosomiasis transmission. This study aimed to summarize uses of available diagnostic techniques through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methodology And Principal Findings: We systematically searched the literature and reports comparing two or more diagnostic tests in non-human animals for schistosome infection. Read More

Parasite 2022 3;29:23. Epub 2022 May 3.

IHPE, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, Univ. Perpignan Via Domitia, 66860 Perpignan, France.

While population genetics of Schistosoma haematobium have been investigated in West Africa, only scant data are available from Côte d'Ivoire. The purpose of this study was to analyze both genetic variability and genetic structure among S. haematobium populations and to quantify the frequency of S. Read More

Pulm Circ 2022 Apr 22;12(2):e12072. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of California San Francisco San Francisco California USA.

Schistosomiasis is a major cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) worldwide, but the prevalence and risk factors for schistosomiasis-associated PAH (SchPAH) development are not well understood. Schistosomiasis-associated hepatosplenic disease (SchHSD) is thought to be a major risk factor for PAH development. Herein, we describe our plans for prospectively screening SchHSD subjects for clinical evidence of PAH at two major academic medical centers and national referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Lusaka, Zambia. Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2022 May;18(780):890-893

Policlinique de médecine tropicale, voyages et vaccinations, Centre de médecine générale et santé publique, Unisanté, 1011 Lausanne.

While no vaccine is on the horizon to prevent traveler's diarrhea, progress has been made in the field of malaria and dengue fever. In both cases, the objective is not primarily the prevention among travelers but rather the reduction of morbidity and mortality in populations living in endemic areas. The immune mechanisms protecting against parasitosis are not well understood, which further complicates vaccine development. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2022 May 3;15(1):154. Epub 2022 May 3.

National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control Technology, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases, 117 Meiyuan Yangxiang, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, China.

Background: The activation of immune response driven by the eggs of Schistosoma japonicum and the subsequent secretions is the culprit behind granulomatous inflammation and liver fibrosis. Evidence suggests that PKCλ/ι participates in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including the regulation of metabolism, growth, proliferation and differentiation of cells. However, the role of PKCλ/ι in liver disease caused by Schistosoma japonicum remains unclear. Read More

Pediatrics 2022 May;149(Suppl 5)

Division of Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of communicable diseases affecting the poorest populations around the world.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of interventions, including mass drug administration (MDA), water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), vector control, health education, and micronutrients supplementation, for NTDs among children and adolescents.

Methods: We conducted a literature search on the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, and other databases until December 2020. Read More

CMAJ 2022 May;194(17):E632-E633

Division d'urologie, Service de chirurgie, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Qc.

EBioMedicine 2022 Apr 29;80:104036. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Room: EM3.3244, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montréal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; National Reference Centre for Parasitology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada. Electronic address:

Background: Schistosomiasis is an underestimated neglected tropical disease which affects over 236.6 million people worldwide. According to the CDC, the impact of this disease is second to only malaria as the most devastating parasitic infection. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022 13;12:862496. Epub 2022 Apr 13.

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.

The microRNA-124-3p plays an important role in regulating development and neurogenesis. Previous microRNA sequencing analyses of revealed sja-miR-124-3p differential expression patterns in schistosomes from different hosts and at different developmental stages. This study explores the regulatory role of sja-miR-124-3p in development and reproduction. Read More

Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022 12;12:871545. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.

infections, which lead to local inflammatory responses to schistosome eggs trapped in host tissues, can result in long-term, severe complications. The development of schistosomiasis may result from a complex interaction between the pathogenic, environmental, and host genetic components. Notably, the genetic factors that influence the development of schistosomiasis complications are poorly understood. Read More

Wellcome Open Res 2022 5;7. Epub 2022 Jan 5.

Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis and London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, Imperial College London, London, UK.

The Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO, https://www.iddo.org) has launched a clinical data platform for the collation, curation, standardisation and reuse of individual participant data (IPD) on treatments for two of the most globally important neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), schistosomiasis (SCH) and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STHs). Read More

Ann Parasitol 2022 ;68(1):61-70

Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.

The morbidity indicators and risk factors of urinary schistosomosis in school-age children were ascertained in three Senatorial Districts of Cross River State (CRS). A cross-sectional study conducted between April 2015 and March 2016. Seven hundred and seventy-seven (777) urine samples were randomly collected from selected children and examined for ova of Schistosoma haematobium, using a modified filtration system. Read More

PLoS One 2022 29;17(4):e0267378. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Bacterial, Parasitic and Zoonotic Diseases Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Reagent urinalysis dipstick and filtration have been recommended diagnostic methods for the detection of urogenital schistosomiasis. However, the accurate diagnosis of light infections using these methods presents a major challenge. This study evaluates the diagnosis accuracy of light infection with Schistosoma haematobium in study participants living in Wolaita Zone, an area targeted for sustainable control of Schistosomiasis, and ultimately interrupt transmission. Read More

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2022 Apr 26. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research, London W2 1PG, UK.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) and schistosome parasites are highly aggregated within the human population. The probability distribution of worms per person is described well by the negative binomial probability distribution with aggregation parameter, k, which varies inversely with parasite clustering. The relationship between k and prevalence in defined populations subject to mass drug administration is not well understood. Read More

Biomedica 2022 03 1;42(1):67-84. Epub 2022 Mar 1.

Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.

Introduction: Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only commercially available drug for schistosomiasis. The current shortage of alternative effective drugs and the lack of successful preventive measures enhance its value. The increase in the prevalence of PZQ resistance under sustained drug pressure is, therefore, an upcoming issue. Read More

Infect Genet Evol 2022 Apr 22;101:105286. Epub 2022 Apr 22.

School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China; Department of Infectious Diseases, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan 442000, China. Electronic address:

Background: Molecular markers for monitoring resistance could help improve malaria treatment policies. Delayed clearance of Plasmodium falciparum by artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) has been reported in several countries. In addition to PfKelch13 (pfk13), new drug resistance genes, P. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 Apr 25;16(4):e0010332. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland.

Background: Reagent strip to detect microhematuria as a proxy for Schistosoma haematobium infections has been considered an alternative to urine filtration for individual diagnosis and community-based estimates of treatment needs for preventive chemotherapy. However, the diagnostic accuracy of reagent strip needs further investigation, particularly at low infection intensity levels.

Methods: We used existing data from a study conducted in Tanzania that employed urine filtration and reagent strip testing for S. Read More

Parasit Vectors 2022 Apr 23;15(1):144. Epub 2022 Apr 23.

Sino‑French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, Guangdong Province, China.

Background: We have reported the positive association of the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) axis with liver fibrosis induced by Schistosoma japonicum (Sj) infection, and TLR4 signaling controlled this axis. However, how COX-2 regulates immune response during Sj infection is still unclear.

Methods: Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate the effect of the COX-2-specific inhibitor NS398 on liver granulomatous inflammation and fibrosis. Read More

Asian J Surg 2022 Apr 19. Epub 2022 Apr 19.

Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.

Pathogens 2022 Mar 31;11(4). Epub 2022 Mar 31.

IHPE, University Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, University Perpignan Via Domitia, F-66000 Perpignan, France.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a major poverty-related disease caused by dioecious parasitic flatworms of the genus with a health impact on both humans and animals. Hybrids of human urogenital schistosome and bovine intestinal schistosome have been reported in humans in several of Nigeria's neighboring West African countries. No empirical studies have been carried out on the genomic diversity of   in Nigeria. Read More

Trop Med Infect Dis 2022 Mar 31;7(4). Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland.

While chronic schistosomiasis is pathologically well defined, the acute form of the disease is less well understood. It is generally agreed that early lesions, such as lung nodules and bladder polyps, are reversible, which impedes identification of the time elapsed since exposure. The intermediate stage between the acute and the chronic forms of schistosomiasis requires further investigation, as does the clinical stage due to lesions remaining after treatment. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 Apr 21;16(4):e0010382. Epub 2022 Apr 21.

Laboratory of Parasitology and Ecology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background: One of the considerable challenges of schistosomiasis chemotherapy is the inefficacy of praziquantel (PZQ) at the initial phase of the infection. Immature schistosomes are not susceptible to PZQ at the curative dose. Here, we investigated the efficacy of different PZQ regimens administered during the initial stage of Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022 Apr 20;16(4):e0010381. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Introduction: Despite the ongoing intervention for schistosomiasis control among school-age children in the Lindi region of Tanzania, urogenital schistosomiasis continues to be a public health problem, presumably because other at-risk populations are not covered in praziquantel deworming campaigns. Evidence shows that under-fives become infected in their early life hence the need to understand the disease profile and the risk factors for exposure to infection so as to plan effective control strategies in this group. This study examined the prevalence and risk factors of urogenital schistosomiasis among under-fives in the Mtama district, Lindi region of Tanzania. Read More

J Clin Microbiol 2022 04 20;60(4):e0124721. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicinegrid.471392.a, Stanford, California, USA.