Hybridized Zoonotic Schistosoma Infections Result in Hybridized Morbidity Profiles: A Clinical Morbidity Study amongst Co-Infected Human Populations of Senegal
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Date
2021-08-20
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)
Abstract
Hybridization of infectious agents is a major emerging public and veterinary health
concern at the interface of evolution, epidemiology, and control. Whilst evidence of the extent of
hybridization amongst parasites is increasing, their impact on morbidity remains largely unknown.
This may be predicted to be particularly pertinent where parasites of animals with contrasting
pathogenicity viably hybridize with human parasites. Recent research has revealed that viable
zoonotic hybrids between human urogenital Schistosoma haematobium with intestinal Schistosoma
species of livestock, notably Schistosoma bovis, can be highly prevalent across Africa and beyond.
Examining human populations in Senegal, we found increased hepatic but decreased urogenital
morbidity, and reduced improvement following treatment with praziquantel, in those infected with
zoonotic hybrids compared to non-hybrids. Our results have implications for effective monitoring
and evaluation of control programmes, and demonstrate for the first time the potential impact of
parasite hybridizations on host morbidity.
Description
Microorganisms 2021, 9, 1776
Keywords
hybridization, schistosomiasis, morbidity, ultrasonography, disease control, one health, CEA-AGIR, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Sénégal, Lucy Yasenev, Amadou Djirmay Garba, Samba D. Diop, Anna Borlase, Stefano Catalano, Babacar Faye, Martin Walker, Mariama Sene, Joanne P. Webster
Citation
Fall, C. B., Lambert, S., Léger, E., Yasenev, L., Garba, A. D., Diop, S. D., ... & Webster, J. P. (2021). Hybridized zoonotic Schistosoma infections result in hybridized morbidity profiles: A clinical morbidity study amongst co-infected human populations of Senegal. Microorganisms, 9(8), 1776.