Article
Plant Sciences
Hala A. Abdel Salam, Omaimah A. Maghrabi, Esam S. Al-Malki, Kamal S. Albenasy
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy of thymol as a plant molluscicide in controlling Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, the vectors for transmitting Schistosoma mansoni infection. Thymol showed significant impacts on the survival rate, egg-laying capacity, and biochemical parameters of the snails, suggesting its promising potential as a safe plant molluscicide for controlling B. alexandrina snails.
JOURNAL OF ESSENTIAL OIL BEARING PLANTS
(2021)
Review
Parasitology
Philippe Douchet, Benjamin Gourbal, Eric S. Loker, Olivier Rey
Summary: In a One-Health context, it is urgent to establish the links between environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and the circulation of pathogens. This review focuses on aquatic environmental factors that interact with Schistosoma species, causing schistosomiasis, and how they influence transmission at the ecosystem scale. The concept of ecosystem competence, which measures the ability of an ecosystem to amplify or mitigate the transmission risk of a given pathogen, is introduced as a promising measure for operationalizing the One-Health concept.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Isabel J. Jones, Susanne H. Sokolow, Andrew J. Chamberlin, Andrea J. Lund, Nicolas Jouanard, Lydie Bandagny, Raphael Ndione, Simon Senghor, Anne-Marie Schacht, Gilles Riveau, Skylar R. Hopkins, Jason R. Rohr, Justin V. Remais, Kevin D. Lafferty, Armand M. Kuris, Chelsea L. Wood, Giulio De Leo
Summary: This study estimated factors associated with schistosomiasis risk in 16 villages located in the Senegal River Basin, finding that human risk for S. haematobium infection was positively correlated with snail habitat measured from shorelines at a radius of 45 m to 120 m, while S. mansoni infection risk was associated with small, sheltered water access sites.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Silvia Goncalves Mesquita, Floria Gabriela dos Santos Neves, Ronaldo Guilherme Carvalho Scholte, Omar dos Santos Carvalho, Cristina Toscano Fonseca, Roberta Lima Caldeira
Summary: This study validated the use of LAMP for detecting Schistosoma mansoni infection in snails of the genus Biomphalaria in Brazil. The results indicated that LAMP was three times as effective as traditional parasitological methods and showed 100% specificity, 85.7% sensitivity, and a kappa index of 0.88.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Conor E. Fogarty, Phong Phan, Mary G. Duke, Donald P. McManus, Russell C. Wyeth, Scott F. Cummins, Tianfang Wang
Summary: This study identified miracidia attractant candidates using behavioral assays and proteomics, which have the potential to be used as biocontrols for disrupting miracidia infection and reducing schistosomiasis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Mohamed R. Habib, Shan Lv, David Rollinson, Xiao-Nong Zhou
Summary: Biological invasion, particularly by invasive snail species as potential intermediate hosts, poses significant risks to public health and biodiversity. Understanding the invasion patterns and distribution factors of these snails, along with their susceptibility to S. mansoni, is crucial for predicting and preventing the potential spread of schistosomiasis.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Tawanda Manyangadze, Moses John Chimbari, Owen Rubaba, White Soko, Samson Mukaratirwa
Summary: This study investigated the spatial and seasonal variation of intermediate host snails and their schistosome infection rates in Ingwavuma, South Africa. The results contribute to the understanding of the transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis in the study area.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
J. Marquez, N. Dinguirard, A. Gonzalez, A. E. Kane, N. R. Joffe, T. P. Yoshino, M. G. Castillo
Summary: This study identified and characterized TEP transcripts in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata, an intermediate host of the Schistosoma parasite. The expression and response of TEPs to S. mansoni exposure were compared between resistant and susceptible snail strains. Differences in constitutive expression levels and differential responses were observed, suggesting the potential role of TEPs in schistosomiasis transmission control.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Martina R. Laidemitt, Alyssa M. Gleichsner, Christopher D. Ingram, Steven D. Gay, Elizabeth M. Reinhart, Martin W. Mutuku, Polycup Oraro, Dennis J. Minchella, Gerald M. Mkoji, Eric S. Loker, Michelle L. Steinauer
Summary: Schistosome miracidia have fine-tuning abilities in host selection, but do not always choose hosts that maximize their fitness.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Julien Kincaid-Smith, Eglantine Mathieu-Begne, Cristian Chaparro, Marta Reguera-Gomez, Stephen Mulero, Jean-Francois Allienne, Eve Toulza, Jerome Boissier
Summary: The study found that mate choice is not a reproductive isolating factor between Schistosoma haematobium and S. bovis, and there are few pre-zygotic barriers limiting interbreeding between these two species, except for spatial isolation by the final vertebrate host.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lijun Lu, Lijing Bu, Si-Ming Zhang, Sarah K. Buddenborg, Eric S. Loker
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the transcriptomics responses of the gastropod Biomphalaria glabrata (Bg) following exposure to the trematode Schistosoma mansoni (Sm). The study identified differences in gene expression between schistosome-susceptible and -resistant Bg strains and revealed distinct response patterns at different time points post-exposure. The findings also highlight shared stress responses and specific gene expression patterns in both resistant and susceptible snails.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hassan Ahmed Hassan Ahmed Ismail, Abed el Aziz Abed el Rahim Mohamed Ahmed, Seungman Cha, Yan Jin
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of schistosomiasis transmission and the impact of infection on snail survival, reproduction, and growth. The findings showed that cercarial emergence peaked between 9:00-11:00 a.m. and infection reduced the survival rate of snails. These results have important implications for schistosomiasis control and elimination strategies as well as disease modeling.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Amos Mathias Onyekwere, Alejandra De Elias-Escribano, Julien Kincaid-Smith, Sarah Dametto, Jean-Francois Allienne, Anne Rognon, Maria Dolores Bargues, Jerome Boissier
Summary: This experimental study provides new insights into the mating behavior between Schistosoma bovis and S. mansoni in mixed infections in mice. The study shows that the mating between the two species is not random, with S. mansoni exhibiting greater mate recognition. The offspring generated from different mating pairs of the two species can only infect specific mollusks.
Article
Microbiology
Mostafa Y. Morad, Heba El-Sayed, Ahmed A. Elhenawy, Shereen M. Korany, Abeer S. Aloufi, Amina M. Ibrahim
Summary: The myco-synthesized nano-selenium (SeNPs) showed significant molluscicidal, miracidicidal, and cercaricidal properties against Biomphlaria alexandrina snails and Schistosoma mansoni, making it a potential non-toxic route for reducing the spread of schistosomiasis. Furthermore, the SeNPs exhibited antioxidant properties and caused DNA damage.
Article
Parasitology
Mitsumasa Miura, Yoshinori Mitsui, Yoshiki Aoki, Kentaro Kato
Summary: Current control measures for schistosomiasis have only achieved partial success in endemic areas due to socioeconomic constraints. One possible approach is to target the miracidial stage of the trematode and introduce more attractive substances to prevent infecting intermediate snail hosts.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
William Mueller, Hilary Cowie, Claire J. Horwell, Peter J. Baxter, Damien McElvenny, Mark Booth, John W. Cherrie, Paul Cullinan, Deborah Jarvis, Ciro Ugartef, Hiromasa Inoue
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
N. McCreesh, A. D. Grant, T. A. Yates, A. S. Karat, R. G. White
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Karina Kielmann, Aaron S. Karat, Gimenne Zwama, Christopher Colvin, Alison Swartz, Anna S. Voce, Tom A. Yates, Hayley MacGregor, Nicky McCreesh, Idriss Kallon, Anna Vassall, Indira Goyender, Janet Seeley, Alison D. Grant
INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF POVERTY
(2020)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Claire J. Calderwood, James P. Wilson, Katherine L. Fielding, Rebecca C. Harris, Aaron S. Karat, Raoul Mansukhani, Jane Falconer, Malin Bergstrom, Sarah M. Johnson, Nicky McCreesh, Edward J. M. Monk, Jasantha Odayar, Peter J. Scott, Sarah A. Stokes, Hannah Theodorou, David A. J. Moore
Summary: This systematic review found that most patients remained culture positive at 2 weeks of TB treatment, challenging the view that individuals are not infectious after this interval. Culture positivity is, however, only 1 component of infectiousness, with reduced cough frequency and aerosol generation after TB treatment initiation likely to also be important.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nicky McCreesh, Vuyiswa Dlamini, Anita Edwards, Stephen Olivier, Njabulo Dayi, Keabetswe Dikgale, Siyabonga Nxumalo, Jaco Dreyer, Kathy Baisley, Mark J. Siedner, Richard G. White, Kobus Herbst, Alison D. Grant, Guy Harling
Summary: After South Africa implemented strict social distancing regulations, social contacts in rural areas decreased significantly, especially in other people's homes and public spaces. Older adults had fewer interactions with those over 50, but their interactions with 15-29 year olds remained relatively stable.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Arminder K. Deol, Danny Scarponi, Peter Beckwith, Tom A. Yates, Aaron S. Karat, Ada W. C. Yan, Kathy S. Baisley, Alison D. Grant, Richard G. White, Nicky McCreesh
Summary: In order to identify poorly-ventilated spaces, two methods were demonstrated to estimate ventilation rate in busy congregate settings, such as clinic waiting rooms. Both approaches produced comparable results, with the simple linear regression method having the advantage of not requiring room volume measurements. These methods can help reduce airborne transmission of pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, measles, and SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicky McCreesh, Aaron S. Karat, Kathy Baisley, Karin Diaconu, Fiammetta Bozzani, Indira Govender, Peter Beckwith, Tom A. Yates, Arminder K. Deol, Rein M. G. J. Houben, Karina Kielmann, Richard G. White, Alison D. Grant
Summary: The study found that a range of interventions, including outdoor waiting areas, UVGI systems, appointment systems, opening windows and doors, masks, clinic retrofits, and increased coverage of antiretroviral therapy prescriptions, were effective in reducing Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission rates. Traditional IPC measures and non-traditional measures such as appointment systems were equally effective in reducing transmission rates.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nicky McCreesh, Aaron S. Karat, Indira Govender, Kathy Baisley, Karin Diaconu, Tom A. Yates, Rein Mgj Houben, Karina Kielmann, Alison D. Grant, Richard White
Summary: Based on data from South Africa, this study shows that tuberculosis transmission in clinics has a significant impact on the community burden of the disease, particularly among HIV-positive individuals. Implementing infection prevention and control interventions could lead to moderate reductions in disease burden.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
A. K. Deol, N. Shaikh, K. Middelkoop, M. Mohlamonyane, R. G. White, N. McCreesh
Summary: Ventilation rates and occupancy are key determinants of the transmission rate of airborne infections. Targeting infection prevention and control interventions at locations with low ventilation rates and high occupancy can be highly effective. Research findings suggest that public transport may have a higher risk of infection transmission in this setting.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Danny Scarponi, Andrew Iskauskas, Rebecca A. Clark, Ian Vernon, Trevelyan J. McKinley, Michael Goldstein, Christinah Mukandavire, Arminder Deol, Chathika Weerasuriya, Roel Bakker, Richard G. White, Nicky McCreesh
Summary: Infectious disease models are used by epidemiologists to understand transmission dynamics, predict interventions, and improve disease understanding. However, as the complexity of these models increases, calibration to data becomes more challenging. This study introduces a new software, hmer, which efficiently calibrates complex models for tuberculosis vaccines to over 100 countries. The results show that hmer is a useful tool for epidemiologists to calibrate models and improve predictions.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alexandra S. Richards, Bianca Sossen, Jon C. Emery, Katherine C. Horton, Torben Heinsohn, Beatrice Frascella, Federica Balzarini, Aurea Oradini-Alacreu, Brit Haecker, Anna Odone, Nicky McCreesh, Alison D. Grant, Katharina Kranzer, Frank Cobelens, Hanif Esmail, Rein M. G. J. Houben
Summary: This study quantified the pathways of tuberculosis disease progression and regression. It found that after 5 years, 40% of individuals with subclinical tuberculosis recover, 18% die, 14% remain infectious, and the rest have minimal disease at risk of re-progression. For individuals with subclinical disease at baseline, 50% never develop symptoms within 5 years. For those with clinical disease at baseline, 46% die and 20% recover from tuberculosis within 5 years.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fiammetta Maria Bozzani, Nicky McCreesh, Karin Diaconu, Indira Govender, Richard G. White, Karina Kielmann, Alison D. Grant, Anna Vassall
Summary: An economic evaluation conducted in two clinics in South Africa showed that tuberculosis infection prevention and control measures, including improving ventilation and maximizing the use of existing systems, are cost-effective and should be implemented within the country's health system.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Danny Scarponi, Rebecca A. Clark, Chathika Krishan Weerasuriya, Jon Emery, Rein M. G. J. Houben, Richard White, Nicky McCreesh
Summary: Recent research suggests that self-clearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection may be common, which could impact the potential impact of new tuberculosis vaccines. This study found that the inclusion of self-clearance in mathematical models increased the estimated relative reduction in incidence for vaccines effective only in uninfected individuals, but had variable effects on vaccines effective only in infected individuals. The inclusion of self-clearance had minimal impact on vaccines that work regardless of infection status.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Rok Hrzic, Maria Vitoria Cade, Brian Li Han Wong, Nicky McCreesh, Judit Simon, Katarzyna Czabanowska
Summary: Developing a competency framework targeting Master of Public Health education, this study identified 20 competencies related to simulation model-supported decision-making in public health. The framework covers stakeholder engagement, problem definition, evidence identification, participatory system mapping, model creation and calibration, and the interpretation and dissemination of model results. The framework is instrumental in including simulation model-supported decision-making in public health training.
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nicky McCreesh, Mbali Mohlamonyane, Anita Edwards, Stephen Olivier, Keabetswe Dikgale, Njabulo Dayi, Dickman Gareta, Robin Wood, Alison D. Grant, Richard G. White, Keren Middelkoop
Summary: Data on social contact patterns are widely used in mathematical models of infectious diseases. Most studies focus on close contacts, but casual contacts may also contribute to airborne transmission. Analyzing data from South Africa, this study found that age mixing patterns did not vary greatly between infection types, but older age groups had fewer casual contacts, suggesting an overestimation of their contribution to airborne transmission.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)