The interplay of wildlife, livestock and humans in African zoonotic-schistosomiasis transmission dynamics
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal Veterinary College
Department Name: Pathology and Pathogen Biology
Abstract
The interplay of wildlife, livestock and humans in African zoonotic-schistosomiasis transmission dynamics
Publications
Catalano S
(2019)
Rodents of Senegal and their role as intermediate hosts of Hydatigera spp. (Cestoda: Taeniidae).
in Parasitology
Catalano S
(2019)
Plagiorchis sp. in small mammals of Senegal and the potential emergence of a zoonotic trematodiasis.
in International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife
Catalano S
(2018)
Rodents as Natural Hosts of Zoonotic Schistosoma Species and Hybrids: An Epidemiological and Evolutionary Perspective From West Africa.
in The Journal of infectious diseases
Catalano S
(2020)
Multihost Transmission of Schistosoma mansoni in Senegal, 2015-2018.
in Emerging infectious diseases
Catalano S
(2019)
Plagiorchis sp. in small mammals of Senegal and the potential emergence of a zoonotic trematodiasis.
in International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife
Catalano S
(2019)
Mini-FLOTAC as an alternative, non-invasive diagnostic tool for Schistosoma mansoni and other trematode infections in wildlife reservoirs.
in Parasites & vectors
Catalano S
(2018)
Rodents as Natural Hosts of Zoonotic Schistosoma Species and Hybrids: An Epidemiological and Evolutionary Perspective From West Africa.
in The Journal of infectious diseases
Catalano S
(2019)
Rodents of Senegal and their role as intermediate hosts of Hydatigera spp. (Cestoda: Taeniidae).
in Parasitology
Le Clec'h W
(2018)
Whole genome amplification and exome sequencing of archived schistosome miracidia.
in Parasitology
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/N503563/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 | |||
| 1659315 | Studentship | BB/N503563/1 | 01/10/2015 | 31/03/2019 | Stefano Catalano |
| Title | Science Journal for Kids article: cutting edge peer-reviewed science research papers adapted for students. |
| Description | adaptation of our recent Journal of Infectious Disease article into a grass-roots teen friendly version On average, the site has about 20 to 30,000 visits per month. Science Journal for Kids article: cutting edge peer-reviewed science research papers adapted for students. https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/search-articles/what-role-do-rodents-have-in-human-snail-fever https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/uploads/5/4/2/8/54289603/rodents-article.pdf |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Impact | High profiles and commentary across social media e.g. twitter Feb 2019 • 28 days TWEET HIGHLIGHTS Top Tweet earned 3,778 impressions And a bit more to show on our new teen/grass-roots version of our wildlife reservoirs for schistsosomiais paper #ZELS pic.twitter.com/GgZN8ZdM8b Translation into French input into local schools within Senegal and Niger for grass roots public understanding |
| URL | https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/search-articles/what-role-do-rodents-have-in-human-snail-fever |
| Description | We have investigated the complex multi-host disease dynamics of Schistosoma spp., including the emergence of zoonotic parasitic hybrids, which remain largely unexplored in West Africa. We elucidated the role of wild small mammals as reservoir hosts of Schistosoma mansoni and accidental hosts of Schistosoma hybrids in endemic areas of Senegal. Our findings indicate that rodents may be an important local reservoir for zoonotic schistosomiasis in endemic areas of West Africa, amplifying transmission to humans and jeopardising public health campaigns for disease control. |
| Exploitation Route | This project has the potential to inform and guide future national and international control activities and assist local communities in the fight against schistosomiasis. Our research aims to contribute to the major push to eliminate schistosomiasis as a public health problem as recently prioritized by the WHO NTD roadmap. In order to reach this goal, it is essential to identify wildlife reservoirs of schistosomiasis and the mechanisms of hybridization/introgression shaping Schistosoma spp. evolution in these hosts. Our results are of substantial applied importance by helping public health officials, policy makers, and veterinary agencies to identify the preventive measures to reduce transmission risk and to design guidelines for disease management. Better tailored policies should also lead to improved management with concurrent increase in animal health, which will in turn assist in lifting rural human populations out of poverty in both the short and the sustained longer term. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Environment,Healthcare,Government, Democracy and Justice,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| URL | https://academic.oup.com/jid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/infdis/jiy029/4819098 |
| Description | Our paper (Catalano, S., Sene, M., Diouf, N.D., Fall, C.B., Borlase, A., Leger, E, Ba, K., & Webster, J.P. (2018). Rodents as natural hosts of zoonotic Schistosoma species and hybrids: an epidemiological and evolutionary perspective from West Africa. The Journal of Infectious Diseases 218 (3) 429-433. https https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiy029) was adapted into English and French Teen Science journal versions with highest recorded 2019 downloads and media coverage (https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/search-articles/what-role-do-rodents-have-in-human-snail-fever). Furthermore, our research has been highlighted by the London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research in a blog that reached non-governmental institutions and stakeholders (https://www.londonntd.org/news/schistosomiasiss-evolutionary-response-to-a-changing-world-can-we-keep-up). |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Policy & public services |
| Description | incorporation of a One Health approach into the new World Health Organization Guidelines for elimination of a major Neglected Tropical Disease |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | As cited below - new WHO Roadmap and Guidelines made - the former published the latter pending - with the proposed outcomes: 'They have led to the 2030 Guidelines recommending that in communities near to the interruption of transmission, defined as having no autochthonous human cases reported for five years, WHO suggests a verification framework that, testing of animals (livestock and wildlife) be undertaken using improved diagnostic tests of high specificity and sensitivity. In addition, these observations have highlighted the need to tailor approaches to the control and elimination of schistosomiasis to the ecological context where animal hosts are considered in the epidemiology, highlighting the need to apply WASH principles to help control interspecies transmission - treatment of humans alone will not interrupt transmission where animal reservoirs exist'. Future assessment will evaluate how this has been implemented at national levels within disease endemic countries. |
| URL | https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/programmes/livestock-production-and-health/news/new-award-winning-rvc... |
| Description | One Health Fellowship for the 5th International One Health Congress (Saskatoon, Canada) |
| Amount | £850 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Saskatchewan |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | Canada |
| Start | 06/2018 |
| End | 07/2018 |
| Description | Data analysis |
| Organisation | The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute |
| Department | Pathogen Genomics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Access to specimens collected during fieldwork in West Africa. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to genomic data and advice on best-fit analyses for multi-host zoonotic Schistosoma parasites. |
| Impact | The disciplines involved are mainly bioinformatics, public health and wildlife disease. Data analysis is ongoing and outputs are expected in the second half of 2019. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | fieldwork IRD |
| Organisation | Institute of Development Research (IRD) |
| Department | Research Institute for Development Senegal |
| Country | Senegal |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Planning and management of fieldwork in Senegal focusing on small mammal trapping in endemic region for schistosomiasis. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of materials and guidance. |
| Impact | Publication of scientific papers (listed in the "Publications" section. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | laboratory analysis NHM |
| Organisation | Natural History Museum |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Collection of biological specimens for the current and further studies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Expertise on laboratory analysis of Schistosoma parasites and other trematodes. |
| Impact | Training of personnel in both England and Senegal where fieldwork is carried. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Booklet feature |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research: selected research highlights booklet 2021 (features 17 & 18) https://www.londonntd.org/sites/lcntdr/files/content/attachments/2021-01-29/LCNTDR%20research%20highlights%202021.pdf |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.londonntd.org/sites/lcntdr/files/content/attachments/2021-01-29/LCNTDR%20research%20high... |
| Description | Interview for Infectious Diseases Hub |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Zoonotic parasites, an under-appreciated Area' for the Infectious Disease Hub (September 2018) http://www.londonntd.org/news/zoonotic-parasites-an-underappreciated-area-%E2%80%93-an-interview-with-joanne-webster https://www.id-hub.com/2017/09/21/zoonotic-parasites-underappreciated-area-interview-joanne-webster/; |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.id-hub.com/2017/09/21/zoonotic-parasites-underappreciated-area-interview-joanne-webster/... |
| Description | Invited Expert Advisor presentation/working group leader. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Invited Expert Advisor /working group leader. World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland Monitoring and Evaultion of drug efficacies in mass drug administration programmes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | Invited Guest Keynote Lecture The Royal Society, London, UK, |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Webster, J.P. (2017). A One Health approach to controlling zoonotic schistosomiasis in a changing world. (Roy's Symposium). Invited Guest Keynote Lecture The Royal Society, London, UK, |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited Guest Keynote Lecture. British Society for Parasitology Autumn Symposium, Linnaen Society, London, |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Webster, J.P. (2017). Zoonotic schistosomiasis in a changing world. Invited Guest Keynote Lecture. British Society for Parasitology Autumn Symposium, Linnaen Society, London, UK (28th Sept.). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited Guest Lecture. British Society for Parasitology Spring Symposium, |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Invited Key Note Lecture to general scientific audience.Webster, J.P. (2018). Epidemiology an Evolution of Zoonotic schistosomiasis in Afruca: challenges for reaching the WHO elimination targets. Invited Guest Lecture. British Society for Parasitology Spring Symposium, Aberystwyth University, UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Production of Educational Material |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | An educational colouring book targeting schools within schistosomiasis-endemic countries explaining the role of both humans and animals in schistosomiasis transmission, the symptomology and prevention. https://www.rvc.ac.uk/media/default/research/documents/rvc-bilharzia-colouring-book-english.pdf Produced in English and French |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.rvc.ac.uk/media/default/research/documents/rvc-bilharzia-colouring-book-english.pdf |
| Description | WHO Schistosomiasis Guideline Development Group (GDG) - Drafting revised WHO Guidelines for Schistososomiasis |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Development of Revised Guidelines for implementation of control and elimination of schistosomiasis and verification of interruption of transmission - Expert Advisor General scope and objectives Currently, there is no guidance available to evaluate the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission. The existing implementation guidelines are based mainly on expert opinion and need to be revised according to the available scientific evidence. The goal of this GDG meeting will be to provide evidence-based recommendations to countries in their efforts to control morbidity from schistosomiasis and eventually interrupt transmission. They will help countries to implement national schistosomiasis control programmes and to verify whether transmission of the disease has been interrupted in the country. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| URL | https://www.who.int/schistosomiasis/news/public-consultation-experts-guideline-development-group/en/... |
| Description | WHO Technical Working Group: Protocols to Verify Interruption of Transmission of Schistosomiasis. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | WHO Technical Working Group: Protocols to Verify Interruption of Transmission of Schistosomiasis. Expert Advisor for drawing up WHO protocols and guildelines. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |