Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aurel Holzschuh, Anita Lerch, Inna Gerlovina, Bakar S. Fakih, Abdul-wahid H. Al-mafazy, Erik J. Reaves, Abdullah Ali, Faiza Abbas, Mohamed Haji Ali, Mohamed Ali Ali, Manuel W. Hetzel, Joshua Yukich, Cristian Koepfli
Summary: A highly multiplexed PCR sequencing method was developed to investigate the genetic structure of malaria parasites in Zanzibar, providing actionable insights for malaria elimination efforts.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Adriana V. V. Diaz, Martin Walker, Joanne P. P. Webster
Summary: In recent years, the WHO has emphasized the need for a One Health approach in the control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma spp. trematodes, is a major NTD affecting millions of people and livestock globally. While efforts have been made to control the disease, particularly in Africa, the impact of zoonotic transmission and hybridization between human and animal schistosomes has been largely ignored. This review highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the emerging risks associated with wildlife reservoirs.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Faiza Abbas, April Monroe, Samson Kiware, Mwinyi Khamis, Naomi Serbantez, Abdul-Wahid Al-Mafazy, Fauzia Mohamed, Emmanuel Kigadye
Summary: This study aimed to understand the potential of a door-to-door approach for reducing malaria transmission. The results showed that most community members had a positive attitude towards the door-to-door intervention, but several factors need to be considered, such as low risk perception of the disease, local beliefs and practices, lack of initiative from the program level to involve communities, and political instability during the election period. To ensure sustainability, adequate resources, improved coordination systems, and community leader involvement in selecting acceptable Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are needed.
Article
Parasitology
Bobbie Person, David Rollinson, Said M. Ali, Ulfat A. Mohammed, Faiza M. A'kadir, Fatma Kabole, Stefanie Knopp
Summary: The study showed that HEBC interventions in rural schools on Zanzibar Island improved students' knowledge about schistosomiasis transmission and prevention, leading to behavior changes that may help reduce the prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis.
Article
Parasitology
Lydia Trippler, Said Mohammed Ali, Shaali Makame Ame, Jan Hattendorf, Khamis Rashid Suleiman, Mohammed Nassor Ali, Saleh Juma, Fatma Kabole, Stefanie Knopp
Summary: This study reports the baseline findings of a schistosomiasis survey conducted in Pemba, Tanzania, highlighting the low prevalence of S. haematobium but the presence of numerous high-risk water contact sites. To achieve interruption of transmission, targeted and cost-effective interventions that are accepted by the community are crucial.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Mamadou Ouattara, Fidele K. Bassa, Nana R. Diakite, Jan Hattendorf, Jean T. Coulibaly, Patrick K. Yao, Yves-Nathan T. Tian-Bi, Cyrille K. Konan, Rufin K. Assare, Naferima Kone, Negnorogo Guindo-Coulibaly, Jurg Utzinger, Eliezer K. N'Goran
Summary: This study compared four different intervention strategies to interrupt the transmission of Schistosoma haematobium. The results showed that biannual mass drug administration (MDA) was the most effective in reducing infection prevalence. However, none of the strategies were able to completely interrupt the transmission of the disease within a three-year period.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biology
William S. Hart, Philip K. Maini, Robin N. Thompson
Summary: The study shows that a significant proportion of transmissions in SARS-COV-2 infections occur before the onset of symptoms, emphasizing the importance of continued contact tracing until effective vaccines are widely distributed.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lydia Trippler, Shaali Makame Ame, Jan Hattendorf, Saleh Juma, Salum Abubakar, Said Mohammed Ali, Fatma Kabole, David Rollinson, Stefanie Knopp
Summary: The study found that after implementation of interventions to eliminate urogenital schistosomiasis in Zanzibar, there was a significant reduction in overall infection rates, but gaps in mass drug administration in certain areas led to a considerable rebound in infections. Future elimination efforts should focus on intensifying interventions, especially in hotspot areas.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Michal Giboda, Robert Bergquist, Juerg Utzinger
Summary: While chronic schistosomiasis is well understood, the acute form of the disease requires further investigation. As efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis progress, attention should be paid to post-transmission schistosomiasis, which includes remaining lesions and potentially surviving worms after treatment.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Liang Tian, Xuefei Li, Fei Qi, Qian-Yuan Tang, Viola Tang, Jiang Liu, Zhiyuan Li, Xingye Cheng, Xuanxuan Li, Yingchen Shi, Haiguang Liu, Lei-Han Tang
Summary: The text discusses the rapid spread of COVID-19 into a global pandemic within a short period of time, highlighting the challenges posed by transmission from pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers. By constructing an epidemiological model focused on transmission around symptom onset, specific transmission control measures are explored to reduce the basic reproduction number R-0 and control virus spread. This modeling approach allows comparison of the pandemic's behavior in different regions and identifies both common and unique features in its development.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mona Marin, Jessica Leung, Adriana S. Lopez, Leah Shepersky, D. Scott Schmid, Anne A. Gershon
Summary: Varicella patients may be infectious before rash onset, although current evidence on this mode of transmission is not sufficient, therefore the main route of varicella transmission remains after rash appearance.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
LaPrincess C. Brewer, Sarah Jenkins, Sharonne N. Hayes, Ashok Kumbamu, Clarence Jones, Lora E. Burke, Lisa A. Cooper, Christi A. Patten
Summary: The study aimed to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the FAITH! App in promoting LS7 among African Americans in faith communities. Results showed that the majority of participants were female, employed, and had high cardiometabolic risk with LS7 scores in the poor range.
AMERICAN HEART JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tom Pennance, M. Ines Neves, Bonnie L. Webster, Charlotte M. Gower, Stefanie Knopp, Iddi Simba Khamis, Shaali M. Ame, Said M. Ali, Muriel Rabone, Aidan Emery, Fiona Allan, Mtumweni Ali Muhsin, Khamis Rashid Suleiman, Fatama Kabole, Martin Walker, David Rollinson, Joanne P. Webster
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the impact of elimination interventions on the genetic composition of Schistosoma haematobium populations. The results showed little differential impact of different treatment arms on genetic diversity and inbreeding, but significant differences were observed between the islands and within each island in terms of infection intensity.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Sarah Lebu, Winnie Kibone, Chimdi C. C. Muoghalu, Stephen Ochaya, Aaron Salzberg, Felix Bongomin, Musa Manga
Summary: Researchers have found that soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections can affect the host's immune response and the severity of other illnesses. The co-infection of STH with diseases like malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, anemia, neglected tropical diseases, COVID-19, and HPV have both positive and negative effects. Integrated approaches combining drug administration with WASH interventions, hygiene education, community engagement, and vaccines are crucial for controlling and eliminating STH co-infections.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Hussein Yassine, I. C. Arellanes, A. Mazmanian, L. de la Cruz, J. Martinez, L. Contreras, N. Kono, B. S. Liu, D. Badie, M. A. Bantugan, A. Grindon, T. Urich, L. D'Orazio, B. A. Emmanuel, H. C. Chui, W. J. Mack, M. G. Harrington, M. N. Braskie, L. S. Schneider
Summary: This study aims to investigate whether DHA supplementation can delay or slow down the progression of clinical dementia in APOE ε4 carriers. The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involves 368 cognitively unimpaired individuals with limited DHA consumption and dementia risk factors for a period of 2 years. The results will provide new insights into the brain delivery of DHA in APOE ε4 carriers for dementia prevention strategies.
JPAD-JOURNAL OF PREVENTION OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Fiona Allan, Shaali M. Ame, Yves-Nathan T. Tian-Bi, Bruce V. Hofkin, Bonnie L. Webster, Nana R. Diakite, Eliezer K. N'Goran, Fatma Kabole, Iddi S. Khamis, Anouk N. Gouvras, Aidan M. Emery, Tom Pennance, Muriel Rabone, Safari Kinung'hi, Amina Amadou Hamidou, Gerald M. Mkoji, John P. McLaughlin, Armand M. Kuris, Eric S. Loker, Stefanie Knopp, David Rollinson
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joanne P. Webster, Maria Ines Neves, Bonnie L. Webster, Tom Pennance, Muriel Rabone, Anouk N. Gouvras, Fiona Allan, Martin Walker, David Rollinson
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Tom Pennance, Fiona Allan, Aidan Emery, Muriel Rabone, Jo Cable, Amadou Djirmay Garba, Amina Amadou Hamidou, Joanne P. Webster, David Rollinson, Bonnie L. Webster
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2020)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Paola Salari, Thomas Furst, Stefanie Knopp, Jurg Utzinger, Fabrizio Tediosi
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pytsje T. Hoekstra, Miriam Casacuberta-Partal, Lisette van Lieshout, Paul L. A. M. Corstjens, Roula Tsonaka, Rufin K. Assare, Kigbafori D. Silue, Aboulaye Meite, Eliezer K. N'Goran, Yves K. N'Gbesso, Abena S. Amoah, Meta Roestenberg, Stefanie Knopp, Jurg Utzinger, Jean T. Coulibaly, Govert J. van Dam
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Muriel Rabone, Joris Wiethase, Paul F. Clark, David Rollinson, Neil Cumberlidge, Aidan M. Emery
Summary: Paragonimiasis is a neglected disease caused by zoonotic trematodes of Paragonimus spp., particularly in Africa. Recent transmission was found in Southeast Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, and Cameroon, with higher prevalence of P. uterobilateralis than P. africanus. More studies are urgently needed to determine the distribution and diversity of Paragonimus species in Africa.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Katharina Klohe, Benjamin G. Koudou, Alan Fenwick, Fiona Fleming, Amadou Garba, Anouk Gouvras, Emma M. Harding-Esch, Stefanie Knopp, David Molyneux, Susan D'Souza, Jurg Utzinger, Penelope Vounatsou, Johannes Waltz, Yaobi Zhang, David Rollinson
Summary: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease primarily found in rural areas, but recent studies have shown its occurrence in peri-urban and urban settings. Rapid urbanization and rural-urban migration may contribute to the spread of the disease, highlighting the need for improved monitoring and treatment strategies in urban communities.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
David Rollinson, Girija Sankar, Mariana Stephens, Anouk Gouvras, Johannes Waltz, Louis Albert Tchuem Tchuente, Rubina Imtiaz
Summary: The implementation of the new WHO NTD Roadmap (2021-2030) provides an opportunity for single disease alliances and coalitions to integrate and adapt control and elimination programs. This discussion highlights the potential benefits of greater cohesion and innovation in neglected tropical disease-control programs when aiming to achieve elimination goals.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Regan Drennan, Helena Wiklund, Muriel Rabone, Magdalena N. Georgieva, Thomas G. Dahlgren, Adrian G. Glover
Summary: A new species of abyssal Neanthes, N. goodayi sp. nov., was discovered in the Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the central Pacific Ocean, highlighting the importance of the mineral resource itself as a distinct microhabitat. This species is considered a potential indicator taxon for monitoring the impacts of seabed mining due to its widespread distribution and distinctive characteristics.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF TAXONOMY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Roy N. Platt, Winka Le Clec'h, Frederic D. Chevalier, Marina McDew-White, Philip T. LoVerde, Rafael Ramiro de Assis, Guilherme Oliveira, Safari Kinung'hi, Amadou Garba Djirmay, Michelle L. Steinauer, Anouk Gouvras, Muriel Rabone, Fiona Allan, Bonnie L. Webster, Joanne P. Webster, Aidan M. Emery, David Rollinson, Timothy J. C. Anderson
Summary: The blood fluke parasite, Schistosoma mansoni, was introduced into the Americas from Africa during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Research shows that the parasite successfully adapted to the snail intermediate host in South America, without facing significant population bottlenecks or barriers to colonization. Furthermore, genetic analysis indicates differences in gene selection between the Americas and Africa, suggesting adaptation during colonization.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Toby Landeryou, Muriel Rabone, Fiona L. Allan, Rosie Maddren, David M. Rollinson, Bonnie M. Webster, Louis-Albert Tchuem-Tchuente, Roy Anderson, Aidan Emery
Summary: Global anthropogenic changes have led to the geographical distribution of schistosomiasis, resulting in the formation of hybrid populations between S. guineensis and S. haematobium. This study explores the genomics behind hybrid viability and adaptation in Schistosoma hybrids through genome-wide analysis. The findings highlight adaptive loci that contribute to the increased fitness and viability of hybrid populations. Understanding the impact of hybridisation on disease dynamics is crucial for effective control interventions.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Mathematical & Computational Biology
M. Rabone, T. Horton, D. O. B. Jones, E. Simon-Lledo, A. G. Glover
Summary: There is an urgent need for high-quality biodiversity data, especially in the deep ocean where knowledge gaps persist. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) manages seabed areas undergoing intensive mining exploration, such as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ). The launch of the ISA's DeepData database has the potential to support biological research and environmental policy development, but data quality issues compromise its FAIRness. Despite improvements, further development is needed to fully achieve FAIRness and integrate with global systems.
DATABASE-THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL DATABASES AND CURATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sylvain Aubry, Christine Frison, Jorge C. Medaglia, Emile Frison, Marcel Jaspars, Muriel Rabone, Aysegul Sirakaya, Devanshi Saxena, Esther van Zimmeren
Summary: Given the digitization of genetic resources, it is necessary to establish a multi-stakeholder committee to govern digital sequence information and address governance issues. This committee aims to evaluate the position and role of digital sequence information within existing frameworks and mitigate global governance issues associated with the digitization of genetic resources.
PLANTS PEOPLE PLANET
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elsa Leger, Anna Borlase, Cheikh B. Fall, Nicolas D. Diouf, Samba D. Diop, Lucy Yasenev, Stefano Catalano, Cheikh T. Thiam, Alassane Ndiaye, Aidan Emery, Alice Morrell, Muriel Rabone, Momar Ndao, Babacar Faye, David Rollinson, James W. Rudge, Mariama Sene, Joanne P. Webster
LANCET PLANETARY HEALTH
(2020)