Impact of Human Population Growth on Transmission Dynamics of Schistosoma haematobium

Human schistosomiasis is a widespread and important global parasitic infection. Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni are the trematode species responsible for urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis in Africa. To date, control efforts have only been partially successful and rely heavily on human chemotherapy with praziquantel. Snail control has significant limitations including: cost, burden on health services, environmental consequences. This project is aimed at studying S. haematobium biology in a highly endemic area on the southern coast of Kenya, using a mulit-faceted approach including epidemiology, ecology, immunology and parasitology. One component of the project is based on using GIS and spatial analysis to integrate and analyze remotely sensed and field data, inclduding weather, environmental, malacological, epidemiological and demographic data.

Financial support: This research is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health AI45473 (NIAID) and TW/ES01543 (Fogarty International Center).

Participants:

Case Western Reservee University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Charles King, M.D., M.S. (P.I.)
Center for Global Health and Diseases

Division of Vector Borne Diseases, Ministry of Health, Nairobi, Kenya
Eric Muchiri, Ph.D. (co-P.I.)
John Ouma, Ph.D.
Peter Mungai, NGD

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Uriel Kitron, Ph.D., M.P.H. (co-P.I.)
Julie Clennon, M.S.
Melinda Brady, Ph.D.
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology

Publications:
Clennon JA, King CH, Muchiri EM, Kariuki HC, Ouma JH, Mungai P and U Kitron. Spatial patterns of Urinary schistosomiasis infection in a highly endemic area of coastal Kenya. 2004. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hygiene. 70(4): 443-448. Click for pdf

Kariuki CH, Clennon JA, Brady MS, Kitron U et al. Distribution patterns and cercarial shedding of Bulinus nasutus and other snails in Msmbweni Area, Coast Province, Kenya. 2004. Am J Trop Med Hygiene. 70(4): 449-456. Click for pdf