Should we be treating animal schistosomiasis in Africa? The need for a One Health economic evaluation of schistosomiasis control in people and their livestock

Gower, Charlotte; Vince, Louise; Webster, Joanne P.

doi:10.1093/trstmh/trx047

Cited by 50 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 24 publications

(31 reference statements)

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“…While some of the authors consider relatively recent infectious disease emergence, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, 3 others examine longer-standing public health risks. These include schistosomiasis, 1,4 which continues to exact a large burden in sub-Saharan Africa despite affordable and effective prophylaxis and treatment options, in part because infected livestock are kept near human water sources. Still other contributions examine global efforts to combat emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The One Health path to infectious disease prevention and resilience

Heymann

Jay

Kock

2017

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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confidence: 99%

The One Health path to infectious disease prevention and resilience

Heymann

Jay

Kock

2017

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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“…The impact of zoonotic transmission to human infection differs by species and this influences the impact of different interventions. Some studies investigating S. japonicum included targeting the zoonotic reservoir (Table 1) but further work is needed to investigate the costs and benefits of applying a one health approach across a range of settings 133 .…”

Section: Evaluation Of Alternative Interventions and Strategiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Economic evaluations of human schistosomiasis interventions: a systematic review and identification of associated research needs

et al. 2020

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Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) with an estimated 229 million people requiring preventive treatment worldwide. Recommendations for preventive chemotherapy strategies have been made by the World Health Organization (WHO) whereby the frequency of treatment is determined by the settings prevalence. Despite recent progress, many countries still need to scale up treatment and important questions remain regarding optimal control strategies. This paper presents a systematic review of the economic evaluations of human schistosomiasis interventions. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted on 22nd August 2019 using the PubMed (MEDLINE) and ISI Web of Science electronic databases. The focus was economic evaluations of schistosomiasis interventions, such as cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses. No date or language stipulations were applied to the searches. Results: We identified 53 relevant health economic analyses of schistosomiasis interventions. Most studies related to Schistosoma japonicum followed by S. haematobium. Several studies also included other NTDs. In Africa, most studies evaluated preventive chemotherapy, whereas in China they mostly evaluated programmes using a combination of interventions (such as chemotherapy, snail control and health education). There was wide variation in the methodology and epidemiological settings investigated. A range of effectiveness metrics were used by the different studies. Conclusions: Due to the variation across the identified studies, it was not possible to make definitive policy recommendations. Although, in general, the current WHO recommended preventive chemotherapy approach to control schistosomiasis was found to be cost-effective. This finding has important implications for policymakers, advocacy groups and potential funders. However, there are several important inconsistencies and research gaps (such as how the health benefits of interventions are quantified) that need to be addressed to identify the resources required to achieve schistosomiasis control and elimination.

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“…Other than some proteomic analyses of S. bovis and the S. bovis -host interface, aimed at identifying potential new vaccine and drug targets [ 69 ], it is surprising that no recent research has been reported in the development and testing of different vaccines targeting schistosomiasis infections caused by S. bovis and S. mattheei in livestock, despite the early encouraging successes. This may be somewhat short-sighted as it has been recently argued that animal schistosomiasis likely causes a considerable drain, both directly and indirectly, on the local economy of many poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa [ 70 ]. Further, the zoonotic component of schistosomiasis transmission in Africa appears to be far more significant and important than previously thought [ 6 ], and this may impact on the current WHO vision to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health issue by 2025.…”

Section: Challenges and Opportunities For The Futurementioning

confidence: 99%

Schistosome Vaccines for Domestic Animals

et al. 2018

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Schistosomiasis is recognized as a tropical disease of considerable public health importance, but domestic livestock infections due to Schistosoma japonicum, S. bovis, S. mattheei and S. curassoni are often overlooked causes of significant animal morbidity and mortality in Asia and Africa. In addition, whereas schistosomiasis japonica is recognized as an important zoonosis in China and the Philippines, reports of viable schistosome hybrids between animal livestock species and S. haematobium point to an underappreciated zoonotic component of transmission in Africa as well. Anti-schistosome vaccines for animal use have long been advocated as part of the solution to schistosomiasis control, benefitting humans and animals and improving the local economy, features aligning with the One Health concept synergizing human and animal health. We review the history of animal vaccines for schistosomiasis from the early days of irradiated larvae and then consider the recombinant DNA technology revolution and its impact in developing schistosome vaccines that followed. We evaluate the major candidates tested in livestock, including the glutathione S-transferases, paramyosin and triose-phosphate isomerase, and summarize some of the future challenges that need to be overcome to design and deliver effective anti-schistosome vaccines that will complement current control options to achieve and sustain future elimination goals.

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Should we be treating animal schistosomiasis in Africa? The need for a One Health economic evaluation of schistosomiasis control in people and their livestock

Cited by 50 publications

References 24 publications

The One Health path to infectious disease prevention and resilience

The One Health path to infectious disease prevention and resilience

Economic evaluations of human schistosomiasis interventions: a systematic review and identification of associated research needs

Schistosome Vaccines for Domestic Animals

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