Author Archives: Jinan Harb

ECCMID 2012: Coexistence of infection – NTDs, HIV and STDs

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A recurring theme of the NTD sessions at this year’s ECCMID conference was the relationship between NTDs, HIV and STDs. Figures for each seem to overlap, as do some of the physical signs.

Geographical overlap of schistosomiasis and HIV infectionsEach complements the other’s existence. For example, an NTD’s (such as schistosomiasis) symptoms make target areas (in this case epithelium)  vulnerable and as a result ease the path of sexually transmitted disease (STDs) and HIV agents into the body. And with that, the person becomes coinfected by more than one dangerous illness.

The management of one, therefore, should take into account the others’. Here is a summary of what the ECCMID conference highlighted, particularly for schistosomiasis.

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ECCMID 2012: Urogenital schistosomiasis

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Dr Eyrun Kjetland from the School of Biological and Conservation Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa presented current research into urogenital schistosomiasis at this year’s ECCMID conference.

Taking a step back to begin with, she said schistosomiasis itself affects 2 billion people worldwide; 80 million of these show symptoms and just over 30 million receive treatment.

It’s a growing problem in some regions, particularly among travelers and migrants. People become infected with schistosomiasis when worm forms of the snail parasite penetrate their skin during contact with infested water. These then live in blood vessels where they grow and reproduce more schistosomes, or eggs. Eggs either pass through as waste or get trapped in the body, causing immune reactions and progressive damage to organs.

Kjetland described the current situation of one target of the schistosomes – the reproductive system. “In the last two decades,” she said, “after the first six community-based studies on this “gyneacological Schistosoma haematobium”, WHO has recommended that this form of the disease should be referred to as urogenital schistosomiasis.”

Below is a summary of key points and issues Kjetland raised during her presentation.

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Old drug new tricks: Fexinidazole sleeping sickness drug can also treat visceral leishmaniasis

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A drug which has been used to target numerous infectious diseases has been successful in limiting the impact of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) too.

Fexinidazole has been used for over 30 years and studies are being conducted to ascertain its effect on sleeping sickness. The parasites that cause sleeping sickness and VL are closely related, so researchers at the University of Dundee decided to see whether the drug could also work against VL too.

VL is an infectious disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by the bite of an infected sandfly. After malaria, it is the biggest killer in many parts of Africa, Asia and Latin America. Estimates put 50,000 killed every year but WHO say this is a huge underestimate as many cases are never recorded. 1.5-2 million new cases occur annually even though only around 600,000 are declared, the WHO have said.

If left untreated, VL can have a fatality rate as high as 100% within two years. Safer and more effective oral drugs are required to treat this parasitic disease as current drug treatments are expensive, lead to harmful side effects and mostly given by injection, which is unsuitable in poor rural areas where VL strikes.

Now, a study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine has shown that Fexinidazole may be the ideal candidate.

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World leprosy day 2012

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Today marks the 59th anniversary of a day dedicated to raising leprosy awareness and funds to help give those affected the treatment they need. Over 100 countries worldwide use this day to reaffirm their concern for those affected and recommit themselves to doing something to make a difference. Some churches offer a special service to mark the occasion.

World leprosy day is celebrated on the last Sunday in January, near to the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, a man who was renowned for showing great concern for those affected by leprosy.

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LF: Lack of sex, role reversal and social stigma

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That’s what sufferers of lymphatic filariasis go through every day.

A recent review looked at all of the research into the experiences of people living with lymphatic filariasis (LF), or elephantiasis, and analysed the complexities of daily life faced by people living with LF-related disability.

LF is caused by infectious nematode-carrying mosquitoes biting a person, depositing parasites on the skin which get inside the body, grow and spread into part of the immune system called lymph tissue.

WHO defines disability in general as “a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and features of the society in which he or she lives”, as it is a result of the disease and impairment themselves, but also disruptions caused to lifestyle and standard of living.

120 million people worldwide live with the burden of LF, 40 million of whom live with chronic disabling effects as a result of this parasitic disease, according to WHO.

WHO regards LF as the leading cause of physical disability in the world.

Researchers reporting in the journal PLOS Neglected Diseases reviewed qualitative data from the sufferers themselves and this is what they found.

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This week in NTDs

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Gilead Sciences announces a five-year partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) that aims to tackle visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The agreement will see the pharmaceutical company donating 445,000 vials of the drug AmBisome, which has been recommended as the safest, most effective treatment for VL. VL is widespread in South Asia and the Horn of Africa and has a mortality rate of almost 100 percent if it is not treated. Continue reading →

This Week in NTDs

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What are the thirty ways to live longer? Well, the Telegraph publishes an article this week answering this question. Most of the suggestions are closely linked to the spread of NTD infection. Most critically, at 21, “say no to sandflies” discusses the prevalence of Leishmaniasis and the dangers it proposes.

EndtheNeglect reports on the reemergence of Schistosomiasis in China. They reflect on the reasons for the disease’s return and key issues that need to be considered before action can be taken this time around.

An ex-malaria eradication worker discusses how to combat dengue. This interesting article looks at dengue fever’s spread and how this is key to organising eradication campaigns. Apparently  measures must be taken quickly before outbreaks result in “non-availability of agricultural and industrial labour, crippling the country and ruining its economy”.

Reports from a symposium at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (which started on Monday 14th October) have suggested that a dengue vaccine under development at the moment should be ready in six years time.

Climate change to put 77 million more people at risk of fly disease

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Up to 77million more people could be at an increased risk of contracting sleeping sickness as the tsetse fly, which transmits the disease, spreads due to global warming.

A picture of the tsetse fly which carries the parasites that cause sleeping sicknessA study looked at common strains of tsetse and the parasite it carries, which currently affects 36 sub-Saharan African countries. Results showed the sleeping sickness-carrying fly will spread into Southern Africa and surrounding areas as temperatures rise.

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“I got worms”: Soil-transmitted helminths digest

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Infection-carrying worms can get into our bodies, set up shop in our intestines and suck our blood. This family of dangerous parasites, and the infection they carry, are the reason why there are children who are eating enough but are still malnourished.

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