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New Insights for Neglected Tropical Diseases with a Focus on...
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New Insights for Neglected Tropical Diseases with a Focus on Schistosomiasis

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2023) | Viewed by 6221

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Seungman Cha

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Innovative International Development, Graduate School of Global Development & Entrepreneurship, Handong Global University, Pohang, Republic of Korea
2. Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
Interests: neglected tropical disease; water, sanitation, and hygiene; community-led total; sanitation; infectious disease modeling; economic evaluation; vector control; health system strengthening; preventive chemotherapy coverage
Prof. Dr. Maowia Mukhtar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Endemic Disease, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
Interests: parasitology; neglected tropical disease; schistosomiasis; primary health care; infectious disease modeling; integrated vector management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Schistosomiasis is a public health concern in 78 countries. Thanks to global efforts, the prevalence of schistosomiasis has been reduced substantially in some countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) set a goal to eliminate schistosomiasis in 69 countries by 2025 and 78 countries by 2030. However, in many schistosomiasis-endemic countries, prevalence has remained high in some areas due to reinfection despite repeated mass drug administration (MDA) interventions. Without tackling the repeated recurrence of schistosomiasis infection in these areas, it would be difficult to move toward the elimination phase. In accordance with this global effort, a new strategy was warranted to realize the NTD second roadmap incorporating open defecation elimination, vector control, improvement in diagnosis particularly at the point of care, and health system strengthening. Still, there is lack of empirical evidence to support the integrated approach, and the question of how to incorporate each component in control and elimination program in more sustainable and scalable manner remains unanswered. In this regard, we call for evidence to substantiate the integrated strategy into schistosomiasis control and elimination interventions. Prospective authors should first send a short abstract or tentative title to the Editorial Office. If the editors deem the topic to be appropriate for inclusion in the Special Issue, the author will be encouraged to submit a full manuscript.

Prof. Dr. Seungman Cha
Prof. Dr. Maowia Mukhtar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neglected tropical disease
  • schistosomiasis
  • water and sanitation
  • snail control
  • primary health care
  • health system strengthening
  • health information system
  • nutrition
  • neglected tropical disease roadmap
  • open defecation
  • mass drug administration
  • elimination
  • conflict and fragile context
  • persistent hot spot
  • point of care
  • collective behavior change
  • enabling environment
  • community-led total sanitation
  • focal distribution of praziquantel
  • ecological zone
  • integrated survey

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3628 KiB  
Article
Natural Perylenequinone Compounds as Potent Inhibitors of Schistosoma mansoni Glutathione S-Transferase
by Benson Otarigho and Mofolusho O. Falade
Life 2023, 13(10), 1957; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13101957 - 25 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1608
Abstract
The existing treatment strategy for Schistosomiasis centers on praziquantel, a single drug, but its effectiveness is limited due to resistance and lack of preventive benefits. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel antischistosomal agents. Schistosoma glutathione S-transferase (GST) is an essential parasite [...] Read more.
The existing treatment strategy for Schistosomiasis centers on praziquantel, a single drug, but its effectiveness is limited due to resistance and lack of preventive benefits. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel antischistosomal agents. Schistosoma glutathione S-transferase (GST) is an essential parasite enzyme, with a high potential for targeted drug discovery. In this study, we conducted a screening of compounds possessing antihelminth properties, focusing on their interaction with the Schistosoma mansoni glutathione S-transferase (SmGST) protein. We demonstrated the unique nature of SmGST in comparison to human GST. Evolutionary analysis indicated its close relationship with other parasitic worms, setting it apart from free-living worms such as C. elegans. Through an assessment of binding pockets and subsequent protein–ligand docking, we identified Scutiaquinone A and Scutiaquinone B, both naturally derived Perylenequinones, as robust binders to SmGST. These compounds have exhibited effectiveness against similar parasites and offer promising potential as antischistosomal agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights for Neglected Tropical Diseases with a Focus on Schistosomiasis)
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13 pages, 1019 KiB  
Article
Programmatic Implications for Schistosomiasis Elimination Based on Community-Based Survey in the Blue Nile, North Kordofan, and Sennar States, Sudan
by Hassan Ahmed Hassan Ahmed Ismail, Seungman Cha, Yan Jin and Sung-Tae Hong
Life 2023, 13(4), 1049; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13041049 - 19 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1655
Abstract
Schistosomiasis prevalence has remained high in some areas due to reinfection despite repeated mass drug administration interventions. We aimed to explore its risk factors in order to help to design adequate interventions in such high-transmission areas. A total of 6225 individuals residing in [...] Read more.
Schistosomiasis prevalence has remained high in some areas due to reinfection despite repeated mass drug administration interventions. We aimed to explore its risk factors in order to help to design adequate interventions in such high-transmission areas. A total of 6225 individuals residing in 60 villages in 8 districts of North Kordofan, Blue Nile, or Sennar States, Sudan participated in the community-based survey in March 2018. First, we investigated Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni prevalences among school-aged children and adults. Second, the associations between risk factors and schistosomiasis were explored. Those without any type of latrine in their households had higher odds of being infected with schistosomiasis than those with a latrine (odds ratio (OR) = 1.53; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20–1.94; p = 0.001), and the odds of being positive for schistosomiasis among people living in a household without an improved latrine were higher than for their counterparts with an improved latrine (OR = 1.63; CI 1.05–2.55; p = 0.03). Furthermore, people with households or outside compounds found to contain human faeces had higher odds of being infected with schistosomiasis than their counterparts (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.01–1.83, p = 0.04). Installing an improved latrine and eliminating open defecation should be highlighted in schistosomiasis elimination projects in high-transmission areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights for Neglected Tropical Diseases with a Focus on Schistosomiasis)
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Review

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22 pages, 1249 KiB  
Review
Review of Recent Prevalence of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Sub-Saharan Africa and Diagnostic Challenges in the Field Setting
by Sung-Tae Hong
Life 2023, 13(8), 1670; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13081670 - 31 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2079
Abstract
Human schistosomiasis is one of neglected tropical diseases that remain highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Human schistosomiasis is mainly caused by two species, Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni, leading to urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis, respectively. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends [...] Read more.
Human schistosomiasis is one of neglected tropical diseases that remain highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Human schistosomiasis is mainly caused by two species, Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni, leading to urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis, respectively. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel as the primary method of global intervention. Currently, MDA with praziquantel covers over half of the target population in endemic SSA countries. However, an accurate diagnosis is crucial for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of MDA. The standard diagnosis of both urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis relies on the microscopic identification of eggs. However, the diagnostic sensitivity of this approach is low, especially for light or ultra-light infections. This is because Schistosoma eggs are laid inside of the venous plexus of the urinary bladder or mesenteric vein, where the adult flukes live. Approximately half of the eggs circulate in the blood vessels or are packed in neighboring tissues, while the remaining half are expelled into the lumen of the urinary bladder or intestine intermittently when the blood vessels are ruptured. In the field setting, the accuracy of any diagnostic method is critical for proper management of the intervention. The present article reviews the recent prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis in SSA and highlights the practical limitations of diagnostic methods such as urine microscopy, urine reagent strips, molecular diagnosis, and ultrasound scanning in the field setting. Despite continuous global efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis over the past 20 years, many areas still remain endemic in SSA. No single diagnostic approach achieves acceptable sensitivity and specificity in the field setting. Therefore, any field survey should employ a combination of these methods based on the purpose of the study to accurately monitor and evaluate urogenital schistosomiasis. Based on diagnostic values and a cost–benefit analysis, a urine reagent strip test can replace urine microscopy in the field setting. The WHO criteria by ultrasound diagnosis should be updated including the echogenic snow sign and contour distortion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights for Neglected Tropical Diseases with a Focus on Schistosomiasis)
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