Schistosomiasis research funding: the TDR contribution

Abstract

In spite of the recent decline in financial support on the part of some major donors, the overall international support for schistosomiasis research in current US dollars has been holding steady. However, when adjusted for inflation, a clear decline-during the last decade appears and only in a few countries has this decline been balanced by increased national or bilateral funding. The prevailing level of support for schistosomiasis research is barely sufficient to maintain established laboratories and researchers, and highlights the need to attract young investigators. The important goal of bringing a new generation of scientists into the field of schistosomiasis can only be achieved by a considerable long-term increase in funding, both at the national and the international levels. A break-through in current research emphasizing improved techniques for control is needed to encourage donors and governments to improve the situation.

Tools for diagnosis, monitoring and screening ofSchistosomainfections utilizing lateral-flow based assays and upconverting phosphor labels

“…The presence of antibodies against Schistosoma is a clear marker of (past) exposure to the pathogen and as such is most useful for diagnosis, for example, of people originating from non-endemic regions (Bergquist, 1992). Although a limited correlation with infection intensity is sometimes observed (van Dam et al 1996 c ), the presence of specific antibodies cannot be considered as an accurate marker for active Schistosoma infections.…”

Schistosomiasis vaccines

“…One of the arguments for the renewed emphasis on this approach is that schistosomiasis has not been controlled simply because the tools for control have not been fully deployed. In parallel with this renewed drive for chemotherapy-based control, there has been a decline in support for vaccine development from many national and international research programmes [62]. The fact that the leading schistosome vaccine candidate antigen has successfully completed Phase I and Phase II and is being prepared for Phase II/III clinical trials has failed to halt this decline [63].…”