Hybridization in urogenital schistosomiasis (HUGS)
| dc.contributor.author | Musaya, Janelisa | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2021-12-21T11:44:14Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2021-12-21T11:44:14Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2021-10-18 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Type of study: Cohort study, with cross-sectional snail surveys Problem to be studied: Schistosomiasis is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) caused by infection with parasitic flatworms of the Schistosoma genus. With our discovery of novel Schistosoma haematobium hybrids commonly co-infecting Malawian school children, critical knowledge gaps in the biology and control of schistosomiasis in Central Africa have emerged. These amplify formal concerns of the WHO’s preventive chemotherapy (PC) strategy and underpinning targets within their 2021-2030 Roadmap. Our HUGS (hybridisation in urogenital schistosomiasis) investigation aims to address these critical knowledge gaps in the transmission biology, applied epidemiology and clinical importance of S. haematobium hybrids. Objectives: The objectives of the study are: i. To test if the proportion of hybrid coinfection is uniform across two representative communities in Mangochi and Nsanje districts where S. haematobium-mattheei or S. haematobiumbovis occur, inclusive of household GPS mapping and identification of associated risk factors by questionnaire. ii. To verifyassess any changes in the proportions and spatial patterns of hybrid coinfection with annual praziquantel treatment, in a 2-year longitudinal population follow-up studystudy, if the above proportions and spatial patterns of hybrid coinfection hold, or alter, with annual praziquantel treatment. iii. To ascertain if there is any altered host morbidity (e.g. urogenital inflammation) in hybrid coinfection(s) as measured by portable ultrasonography and point-of-contact assays. iv. To reveal describe the hybrid environmental transmission dynamics of the hybrid coinfection(s) upon malacological, livestock tracking and abattoir surveys, dissecting schistosome material by advanced genetic profiling. Methodology: This multi-study will comprise of environmental snail surveys, animal-abattoir surveys and human cohort studies. Twelve quarterly spaced environmental snail surveys will commence before, during and complete after, examinations for hybrids in livestock and people to give best chance of revealing environmental transmission. Three inspections of slaughtered livestock at abattoir, each precede human sampling to better alert novel hybrids/animal schistosomes before three annual examinations of the human cohort, baseline and two follow-up surveys. Data will be obtained from a questionnaire and participants will also provide urine and stool samples on the same day which will be tested for Schistosoma-hybrids. Expected findings and dissemination: We will describe the prevalence of Schistosomahybrids. We will therefore share our findings with the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, (COMREC), Mangochi District Health Office,District Health Management Team, Communities in Mangochi, the District Commissioner and District Executive Committee. We will also present findings at local and international conferences and in peer reviewed publications. | en_US |
| dc.description.sponsorship | National Institute for Health Research - The Wellcome Trust | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://rscarchive.kuhes.ac.mw/handle/20.500.12988/710 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | Kamuzu University of Health Sciences | en_US |
| dc.relation.ispartofseries | Protocol;P.08/21/3381 | |
| dc.subject | Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE | en_US |
| dc.title | Hybridization in urogenital schistosomiasis (HUGS) | en_US |
| dc.type | Plan or blueprint | en_US |