Evaluating the potential for evolution and establishment of (AMaR) drug resistance within zoonotic schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal Veterinary College
Department Name: Pathology and Pathogen Biology
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease which exerts a significant burden on humans and their animals, particularly the poorest people in sub-Saharan Africa. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only available drug against schistosomiasis making the threat of resistance a particularly pertinent and worrying issue. By combining field sampling, diagnostic assays, molecular analysis and mathematical modelling, we aim to evaluate the likely impact of test-and-treat interventions on the population dynamics of livestock schistosomiasis. These findings will inform how best to control livestock schistosomiasis-while minimizing the risk of PZQ resistance developing-and how to prevent the further spread of hybrid schistosomes.
Organisations
Publications
Díaz A
(2022)
Modelling livestock test-and-treat: A novel One Health strategy to control schistosomiasis and mitigate drug resistance
in Frontiers in Tropical Diseases
Díaz AV
(2021)
Surveillance and control of SARS-CoV-2 in mustelids: An evolutionary perspective.
in Evolutionary applications
| Description | Article in the One Health section of alumni magazine |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Published an article in the University's alumni magazine which circulates in both printed and online formats |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.rvc.ac.uk/static/newsletter/eclipse/2021/index.html#p=20 |
| Description | External seminar presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | I carried out a teaching session and disseminated a publication |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Internal seminar presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | ~40 students/researchers attended a virtual Internal seminar in which I shared progress made so far |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Internal seminar presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | ~40 students/researchers attended a virtual Internal seminar in which I introduced the project |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Interview for New York Times science article |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | As a result of my 2021 publication, I was contacted and interviewed by a New York Times science reporter. The outcome of the interview was published in May 2022, with associated further dissemination of said publication. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/22/health/coronavirus-mink-michigan-spillover.html |
| Description | Poster presentation at a national conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | I presented a poster in a 5-day conference. Besides disseminating my work, it was a great opportunity for networking, establishing fruitful collaborations with other postgraduate students/researchers and with third sector organisations, meeting senior researchers and finding out about opportunities |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.myeventflo.com/event.asp?part=7&evID=2412 |
| Description | Poster presentation at doctoral alumni event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Current and former PhD students from several cohorts attended the event to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the doctoral training programme (LIDo). I engaged with current and former doctoral students and was also approached by undergraduate students from the University in which the event took place. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Poster presentation at international conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Disseminated my work at a specialist international conference. Because of this my publication had international exposure resulting in a substantial increase in reads and citations. In addition, I have received international enquiries for collaboration. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.even3.com.br/xvi_iss/ |
| Description | Poster presentation at postgraduate research day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | PhD students, lecturers and researchers from my University attended the one day event, in which I presented a poster. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Poster presented at PhD retreat |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | PhD students from several cohorts attended the retreat. The retreat programme booklet, circulated in advance, included a summary of the poster. I also presented the poster in an in-person session. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |