Tag Archives: WHO

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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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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LIVE: Uniting to Combat NTDs, a meeting of the UK NTD coalition and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

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Today in London, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, CEOs of nine leading pharmaceutical companies, Bill Gates and many more are meeting to discuss how to combat neglected tropical diseases and work towards elimination by 2020.

Follow the action here from 11am, and on twitter, @sev1en.

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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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Visit us through SCI

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A new route to our blog through SCI (the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative)

SCI has been rated as one of the top two charities for achieving impact with donations by nonprofit organisation GiveWell and Giving What We Can. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded SCI $1.5 million to improve control of schistosomiasis. A fantastic, cost-effective charity that’s worth a look.

We have interviews with Professor Alan Fenwick, Director of SCI, and Professor David Molyneux, adviser to WHO, who have both been working on NTDs for over 25 years coming up in the next few weeks. A brilliant insight into how the world of NTDs has evolved.

Next week we’ll be blogging and tweeting from the Royal College of Physicians for the WHO event: Uniting to combat neglected tropical diseases where Bill Gates, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, Dr. Caroline Anstey, Managing Director of the World Bank and CEOs of nine leading pharmaceutical companies to name a few!

Stay tuned.

Schistosomiasis Initiative homepage

Schistosomiasis Initiative homepage