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Jürg Utzinger - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Risk Profiling of Hookworm Infection and Intensity in Southern Lao People’s Democratic Republic Using Bayesian Models
PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2015Co-Authors: Armelle Forrer, Penelope Vounatsou, Somphou Sayasone, Youthanavanh Vonghachack, Dalouny Bouakhasith, Jürg Utzinger, Kongsap Akkhavong, Peter OdermattAbstract:Among the common soil-transmitted helminth Infections, Hookworm causes the highest burden. Previous research in the southern part of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) revealed high prevalence rates of Hookworm Infection. The purpose of this study was to predict the spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to investigate risk factors in the Champasack province, southern Lao PDR.; A cross-sectional parasitological and questionnaire survey was conducted in 51 villages. Data on demography, socioeconomic status, water, sanitation, and behavior were combined with remotely sensed environmental data. Bayesian mixed effects logistic and negative binomial models were utilized to investigate risk factors and spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to make predictions for non-surveyed locations.; A total of 3,371 individuals were examined with duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and revealed a Hookworm prevalence of 48.8%. Most Infections (91.7%) were of light intensity (1-1,999 eggs/g of stool). Lower Hookworm Infection levels were associated with higher socioeconomic status. The lowest Infection levels were found in preschool-aged children. Overall, females were at lower risk of Infection, but women aged 50 years and above harbored the heaviest Hookworm Infection intensities. Hookworm was widespread in Champasack province with little evidence for spatial clustering. Infection risk was somewhat lower in the lowlands, mostly along the western bank of the Mekong River, while Infection intensity was homogeneous across the Champasack province.; Hookworm transmission seems to occur within, rather than between villages in Champasack province. We present spatial risk maps of Hookworm Infection and intensity, which suggest that control efforts should be intensified in the Champasack province, particularly in mountainous areas.
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risk profiling of Hookworm Infection and intensity in southern lao people s democratic republic using bayesian models
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2015Co-Authors: Armelle Forrer, Penelope Vounatsou, Somphou Sayasone, Youthanavanh Vonghachack, Dalouny Bouakhasith, Jürg Utzinger, Kongsap Akkhavong, Peter OdermattAbstract:Among the common soil-transmitted helminth Infections, Hookworm causes the highest burden. Previous research in the southern part of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) revealed high prevalence rates of Hookworm Infection. The purpose of this study was to predict the spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to investigate risk factors in the Champasack province, southern Lao PDR.; A cross-sectional parasitological and questionnaire survey was conducted in 51 villages. Data on demography, socioeconomic status, water, sanitation, and behavior were combined with remotely sensed environmental data. Bayesian mixed effects logistic and negative binomial models were utilized to investigate risk factors and spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to make predictions for non-surveyed locations.; A total of 3,371 individuals were examined with duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and revealed a Hookworm prevalence of 48.8%. Most Infections (91.7%) were of light intensity (1-1,999 eggs/g of stool). Lower Hookworm Infection levels were associated with higher socioeconomic status. The lowest Infection levels were found in preschool-aged children. Overall, females were at lower risk of Infection, but women aged 50 years and above harbored the heaviest Hookworm Infection intensities. Hookworm was widespread in Champasack province with little evidence for spatial clustering. Infection risk was somewhat lower in the lowlands, mostly along the western bank of the Mekong River, while Infection intensity was homogeneous across the Champasack province.; Hookworm transmission seems to occur within, rather than between villages in Champasack province. We present spatial risk maps of Hookworm Infection and intensity, which suggest that control efforts should be intensified in the Champasack province, particularly in mountainous areas.
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risk factors and spatial patterns of Hookworm Infection among schoolchildren in a rural area of western cote d ivoire
International Journal for Parasitology, 2006Co-Authors: Giovanna Raso, Penelope Vounatsou, Laura Gosoniu, Marcel Tanner, Eliezer K Ngoran, Jürg UtzingerAbstract:This study is aimed at investigating the risk factors for Hookworm Infection among schoolchildren in a rural area of western Cote d'Ivoire and predicting and mapping the spatial distribution of Infection. We used demographic and socio-economic data from a cross-sectional survey of 6-16-year-old schoolchildren from 56 schools. Infection with Hookworm was determined by microscopic examination of stool samples employing the Kato-Katz technique and an ether-concentration method. Environmental data were derived from satellite images and digitised maps. Bayesian variogram models were applied to investigate the variation of Hookworm Infection in relation to demographic, socio-economic and environmental factors. The overall Hookworm Infection prevalence, based on the pooled microscopic diagnoses, was 43.3% and ranged from 5.4 to 79.1% in the schools surveyed. Bivariate analyses showed that sex, age, socio-economic status, elevation, rainfall and land cover were significantly associated with the spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection. The final multivariate spatial model consisted of the covariates age, sex, socio-economic status, elevation and land cover. When assuming non-stationary underlying spatial dependency, the results of the model suggested that spatial correlation depended on the location only marginally. We conclude that, at the current resolution, it seems more reasonable to target interventions based on well-established epidemiologic risk factors, rather than on spatial factors.
Peter Odermatt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Risk Profiling of Hookworm Infection and Intensity in Southern Lao People’s Democratic Republic Using Bayesian Models
PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2015Co-Authors: Armelle Forrer, Penelope Vounatsou, Somphou Sayasone, Youthanavanh Vonghachack, Dalouny Bouakhasith, Jürg Utzinger, Kongsap Akkhavong, Peter OdermattAbstract:Among the common soil-transmitted helminth Infections, Hookworm causes the highest burden. Previous research in the southern part of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) revealed high prevalence rates of Hookworm Infection. The purpose of this study was to predict the spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to investigate risk factors in the Champasack province, southern Lao PDR.; A cross-sectional parasitological and questionnaire survey was conducted in 51 villages. Data on demography, socioeconomic status, water, sanitation, and behavior were combined with remotely sensed environmental data. Bayesian mixed effects logistic and negative binomial models were utilized to investigate risk factors and spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to make predictions for non-surveyed locations.; A total of 3,371 individuals were examined with duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and revealed a Hookworm prevalence of 48.8%. Most Infections (91.7%) were of light intensity (1-1,999 eggs/g of stool). Lower Hookworm Infection levels were associated with higher socioeconomic status. The lowest Infection levels were found in preschool-aged children. Overall, females were at lower risk of Infection, but women aged 50 years and above harbored the heaviest Hookworm Infection intensities. Hookworm was widespread in Champasack province with little evidence for spatial clustering. Infection risk was somewhat lower in the lowlands, mostly along the western bank of the Mekong River, while Infection intensity was homogeneous across the Champasack province.; Hookworm transmission seems to occur within, rather than between villages in Champasack province. We present spatial risk maps of Hookworm Infection and intensity, which suggest that control efforts should be intensified in the Champasack province, particularly in mountainous areas.
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risk profiling of Hookworm Infection and intensity in southern lao people s democratic republic using bayesian models
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2015Co-Authors: Armelle Forrer, Penelope Vounatsou, Somphou Sayasone, Youthanavanh Vonghachack, Dalouny Bouakhasith, Jürg Utzinger, Kongsap Akkhavong, Peter OdermattAbstract:Among the common soil-transmitted helminth Infections, Hookworm causes the highest burden. Previous research in the southern part of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) revealed high prevalence rates of Hookworm Infection. The purpose of this study was to predict the spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to investigate risk factors in the Champasack province, southern Lao PDR.; A cross-sectional parasitological and questionnaire survey was conducted in 51 villages. Data on demography, socioeconomic status, water, sanitation, and behavior were combined with remotely sensed environmental data. Bayesian mixed effects logistic and negative binomial models were utilized to investigate risk factors and spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to make predictions for non-surveyed locations.; A total of 3,371 individuals were examined with duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and revealed a Hookworm prevalence of 48.8%. Most Infections (91.7%) were of light intensity (1-1,999 eggs/g of stool). Lower Hookworm Infection levels were associated with higher socioeconomic status. The lowest Infection levels were found in preschool-aged children. Overall, females were at lower risk of Infection, but women aged 50 years and above harbored the heaviest Hookworm Infection intensities. Hookworm was widespread in Champasack province with little evidence for spatial clustering. Infection risk was somewhat lower in the lowlands, mostly along the western bank of the Mekong River, while Infection intensity was homogeneous across the Champasack province.; Hookworm transmission seems to occur within, rather than between villages in Champasack province. We present spatial risk maps of Hookworm Infection and intensity, which suggest that control efforts should be intensified in the Champasack province, particularly in mountainous areas.
Penelope Vounatsou - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Risk Profiling of Hookworm Infection and Intensity in Southern Lao People’s Democratic Republic Using Bayesian Models
PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2015Co-Authors: Armelle Forrer, Penelope Vounatsou, Somphou Sayasone, Youthanavanh Vonghachack, Dalouny Bouakhasith, Jürg Utzinger, Kongsap Akkhavong, Peter OdermattAbstract:Among the common soil-transmitted helminth Infections, Hookworm causes the highest burden. Previous research in the southern part of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) revealed high prevalence rates of Hookworm Infection. The purpose of this study was to predict the spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to investigate risk factors in the Champasack province, southern Lao PDR.; A cross-sectional parasitological and questionnaire survey was conducted in 51 villages. Data on demography, socioeconomic status, water, sanitation, and behavior were combined with remotely sensed environmental data. Bayesian mixed effects logistic and negative binomial models were utilized to investigate risk factors and spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to make predictions for non-surveyed locations.; A total of 3,371 individuals were examined with duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and revealed a Hookworm prevalence of 48.8%. Most Infections (91.7%) were of light intensity (1-1,999 eggs/g of stool). Lower Hookworm Infection levels were associated with higher socioeconomic status. The lowest Infection levels were found in preschool-aged children. Overall, females were at lower risk of Infection, but women aged 50 years and above harbored the heaviest Hookworm Infection intensities. Hookworm was widespread in Champasack province with little evidence for spatial clustering. Infection risk was somewhat lower in the lowlands, mostly along the western bank of the Mekong River, while Infection intensity was homogeneous across the Champasack province.; Hookworm transmission seems to occur within, rather than between villages in Champasack province. We present spatial risk maps of Hookworm Infection and intensity, which suggest that control efforts should be intensified in the Champasack province, particularly in mountainous areas.
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risk profiling of Hookworm Infection and intensity in southern lao people s democratic republic using bayesian models
PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2015Co-Authors: Armelle Forrer, Penelope Vounatsou, Somphou Sayasone, Youthanavanh Vonghachack, Dalouny Bouakhasith, Jürg Utzinger, Kongsap Akkhavong, Peter OdermattAbstract:Among the common soil-transmitted helminth Infections, Hookworm causes the highest burden. Previous research in the southern part of Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) revealed high prevalence rates of Hookworm Infection. The purpose of this study was to predict the spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to investigate risk factors in the Champasack province, southern Lao PDR.; A cross-sectional parasitological and questionnaire survey was conducted in 51 villages. Data on demography, socioeconomic status, water, sanitation, and behavior were combined with remotely sensed environmental data. Bayesian mixed effects logistic and negative binomial models were utilized to investigate risk factors and spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection and intensity, and to make predictions for non-surveyed locations.; A total of 3,371 individuals were examined with duplicate Kato-Katz thick smears and revealed a Hookworm prevalence of 48.8%. Most Infections (91.7%) were of light intensity (1-1,999 eggs/g of stool). Lower Hookworm Infection levels were associated with higher socioeconomic status. The lowest Infection levels were found in preschool-aged children. Overall, females were at lower risk of Infection, but women aged 50 years and above harbored the heaviest Hookworm Infection intensities. Hookworm was widespread in Champasack province with little evidence for spatial clustering. Infection risk was somewhat lower in the lowlands, mostly along the western bank of the Mekong River, while Infection intensity was homogeneous across the Champasack province.; Hookworm transmission seems to occur within, rather than between villages in Champasack province. We present spatial risk maps of Hookworm Infection and intensity, which suggest that control efforts should be intensified in the Champasack province, particularly in mountainous areas.
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risk factors and spatial patterns of Hookworm Infection among schoolchildren in a rural area of western cote d ivoire
International Journal for Parasitology, 2006Co-Authors: Giovanna Raso, Penelope Vounatsou, Laura Gosoniu, Marcel Tanner, Eliezer K Ngoran, Jürg UtzingerAbstract:This study is aimed at investigating the risk factors for Hookworm Infection among schoolchildren in a rural area of western Cote d'Ivoire and predicting and mapping the spatial distribution of Infection. We used demographic and socio-economic data from a cross-sectional survey of 6-16-year-old schoolchildren from 56 schools. Infection with Hookworm was determined by microscopic examination of stool samples employing the Kato-Katz technique and an ether-concentration method. Environmental data were derived from satellite images and digitised maps. Bayesian variogram models were applied to investigate the variation of Hookworm Infection in relation to demographic, socio-economic and environmental factors. The overall Hookworm Infection prevalence, based on the pooled microscopic diagnoses, was 43.3% and ranged from 5.4 to 79.1% in the schools surveyed. Bivariate analyses showed that sex, age, socio-economic status, elevation, rainfall and land cover were significantly associated with the spatial distribution of Hookworm Infection. The final multivariate spatial model consisted of the covariates age, sex, socio-economic status, elevation and land cover. When assuming non-stationary underlying spatial dependency, the results of the model suggested that spatial correlation depended on the location only marginally. We conclude that, at the current resolution, it seems more reasonable to target interventions based on well-established epidemiologic risk factors, rather than on spatial factors.
Jeffrey M. Bethony - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Hookworm Infection.
Nature reviews. Disease primers, 2016Co-Authors: Alex Loukas, Peter J. Hotez, Rodrigo Correa-oliveira, James S. Mccarthy, John Croese, David Diemert, Maria Yazdanbakhsh, Jeffrey M. BethonyAbstract:Hookworms are soil-transmitted nematode parasites that can reside for many years in the small intestine of their human hosts; Necator americanus is the predominant infecting species. Adult worms feed on the blood of a host and can cause iron deficiency anaemia, especially in high-risk populations (children and women of childbearing age). Almost 500 million people in developing tropical countries are infected, and simulation models estimate that Hookworm Infection is responsible for >4 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually. Humans mount an immune response to Hookworms, but it is mostly unsuccessful at removing adult worms from the bowel. Accordingly, the host switches to an immune-tolerant state that enables Hookworms to reside in the gut for many years. Although anthelmintic drugs are available and widely used, their efficacy varies and the drugs do not prevent reInfection. Thus, other control strategies aimed at improving water quality, sanitation and hygiene are needed. In addition, efforts are underway to develop a human Hookworm vaccine through public-private partnerships. However, Hookworms could also be a resource; as Hookworms have the capability to regulate the host's inflammation, researchers are experimentally infecting patients to treat some inflammatory diseases as an approach to discover new anti-inflammatory molecules. This area of endeavour might well yield new biotherapeutics for autoimmune and allergic diseases.
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Immunology of experimental and natural human Hookworm Infection.
Parasite immunology, 2014Co-Authors: Soraya Gaze, Jeffrey M. Bethony, Maria Victoria PeriagoAbstract:Human Hookworm Infection is one amongst the most prevalent of the neglected tropical diseases. An informative experimental animal model, that is, one that parallels a human Infection, is not available for the study of human Hookworm Infection. Much of our current understanding of the human immune response during Hookworm Infection relies on the studies from experimental Infection of Hookworm-naive individuals or the natural Infections from individuals residing in Hookworm-endemic areas. The experimental human Infections tend to be acute, dose-controlled Infections, often with a low larval inoculum so that they are well tolerated by human volunteers. Natural Hookworm Infections usually occur in areas where Hookworm transmission is constant and Infection is chronic. In cases where there has been drug administration in an endemic area, re-Infection often occurs quickly even amongst those who were treated. Hence, although many of the characteristics of experimental and natural Hookworm Infection differ, both models have elements in common: mainly an intense Th2 response with the production of total and specific IgE as well as elevated levels of eosinophilia, IL-5, IL-10 and TNF. While Hookworm Infection affects millions of individuals worldwide, much of the human immunology of this Infection still needs to be studied and understood.
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Characterising the Mucosal and Systemic Immune Responses to Experimental Human Hookworm Infection
PLoS pathogens, 2012Co-Authors: Soraya Gaze, Jeffrey M. Bethony, Henry J. Mcsorley, James Daveson, Di Jones, Luciana M. Oliveira, Richard Speare, James S. Mccarthy, Christian R. Engwerda, John CroeseAbstract:The mucosal cytokine response of healthy humans to parasitic helminths has never been reported. We investigated the systemic and mucosal cytokine responses to Hookworm Infection in experimentally infected, previously Hookworm naive individuals from non-endemic areas. We collected both peripheral blood and duodenal biopsies to assess the systemic immune response, as well as the response at the site of adult worm establishment. Our results show that experimental Hookworm Infection leads to a strong systemic and mucosal Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9 and IL-13) and regulatory (IL-10 and TGF-β) response, with some evidence of a Th1 (IFN-γ and IL-2) response. Despite upregulation after patency of both IL-15 and ALDH1A2, a known Th17-inducing combination in inflammatory diseases, we saw no evidence of a Th17 (IL-17) response. Moreover, we observed strong suppression of mucosal IL-23 and upregulation of IL-22 during established Hookworm Infection, suggesting a potential mechanism by which Th17 responses are suppressed, and highlighting the potential that Hookworms and their secreted proteins offer as therapeutics for human inflammatory diseases.
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developing vaccines to combat Hookworm Infection and intestinal schistosomiasis
Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2010Co-Authors: Peter J. Hotez, Jeffrey M. Bethony, David Diemert, Mark S Pearson, Alex LoukasAbstract:Hookworm Infection and schistosomiasis rank among the most important health problems in developing countries. Both cause anaemia and malnutrition, and schistosomiasis also results in substantial intestinal, liver and genitourinary pathology. In sub-Saharan Africa and Brazil, co-Infections with the Hookworm, Necator americanus, and the intestinal schistosome, Schistosoma mansoni, are common. The development of vaccines for these Infections could substantially reduce the global disability associated with these helminthiases. New genomic, proteomic, immunological and X-ray crystallographic data have led to the discovery of several promising candidate vaccine antigens. Here, we describe recent progress in this field and the rationale for vaccine development.
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Genetic and Household Determinants of Predisposition to Human Hookworm Infection in a Brazilian Community
The Journal of infectious diseases, 2010Co-Authors: Rupert J. Quinnell, Stefan M. Geiger, Simon Brooker, Rachel L. Pullan, Lutz Ph. Breitling, Bonnie Cundill, Rodrigo Correa-oliveira, Jeffrey M. BethonyAbstract:Background. Predisposition to heavy or light human Hookworm Infection is consistently reported in treatment-reInfection studies. A significant role for host genetics in determining Hookworm Infection intensity has also been shown, but the relationship between host genetics and predisposition has not been investigated. Methods. A treatment-reInfection study was conducted among 1302 individuals in Brazil. Bivariate variance components analysis was used to estimate heritability for pretreatment and reInfection intensity and to estimate the contribution of genetic and household correlations between phenotypes to the overall phenotypic correlation (ie, predisposition). Results. Heritability for Hookworm egg count was 17% before treatment and 25% after reInfection. Predisposition to heavy or light Hookworm Infection was observed, with a phenotypic correlation of 0.34 between pretreatment and reInfection intensity. This correlation was reduced to 0.23 after including household and environmental covariates. Genetic and household correlations were 0.41 and 1, respectively, and explained 88% of the adjusted phenotypic correlation. Conclusions. Predisposition to human Hookworm Infection in this area results from a combination of host genetics and consistent differences in exposure, with the latter explained by household and environmental factors. Unmeasured individual-specific differences in exposure did not contribute to predisposition.
Peter J. Hotez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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maternal Hookworm Infection and its effects on maternal health a systematic review and meta analysis
American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2020Co-Authors: Tara E Ness, Vedika Agrawal, Kathryn R Bedard, Lara Ouellette, Timothy Erickson, Peter J. HotezAbstract:Hookworm is an intestinal parasite that infects nearly 230 million people, with another 5.1 billion at risk, especially in poverty-stricken tropical and subtropical regions. Pregnancy is an especially vulnerable time for Hookworm Infection because of its effect on both maternal and subsequently fetal health. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted. The meta-analysis was performed on the association between maternal Hookworm and maternal anemia, as well as maternal Hookworm coInfection with malaria. The prevalence of Hookworm ranged from 1% to 78% in pregnant women, whereas malaria prevalence ranged from 11% to 81%. Pregnant women with Hookworm Infection were more likely to have anemia (combined odds ratio [cOR] 2.55 [2.20, 2.96], P < 0.001). In addition, pregnant woman with Hookworm were more likely to have malaria coInfection (cOR 1.60 [1.38, 1.86], P < 0.001). Other effects on maternal and child health were investigated and summarized without systematic review or meta-analysis because of the limited study numbers. Despite current deworming recommendations in pregnant women, heavy Hookworm burden, coInfection with malaria, and subsequent anemia persist. Although this is likely due, in part, to a lack of implementation of preventive chemotherapy, additional interventions such as health education, proper waste management, or linking malaria and soil-transmitted helminth treatment and prevention programs may also be needed. Further investigations on maternal-child outcomes as a result of Hookworm Infection during pregnancy will highlight public health interventional targets to reduce morbidity in pregnant women and children globally.
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Hookworm Infection.
Nature reviews. Disease primers, 2016Co-Authors: Alex Loukas, Peter J. Hotez, Rodrigo Correa-oliveira, James S. Mccarthy, John Croese, David Diemert, Maria Yazdanbakhsh, Jeffrey M. BethonyAbstract:Hookworms are soil-transmitted nematode parasites that can reside for many years in the small intestine of their human hosts; Necator americanus is the predominant infecting species. Adult worms feed on the blood of a host and can cause iron deficiency anaemia, especially in high-risk populations (children and women of childbearing age). Almost 500 million people in developing tropical countries are infected, and simulation models estimate that Hookworm Infection is responsible for >4 million disability-adjusted life years lost annually. Humans mount an immune response to Hookworms, but it is mostly unsuccessful at removing adult worms from the bowel. Accordingly, the host switches to an immune-tolerant state that enables Hookworms to reside in the gut for many years. Although anthelmintic drugs are available and widely used, their efficacy varies and the drugs do not prevent reInfection. Thus, other control strategies aimed at improving water quality, sanitation and hygiene are needed. In addition, efforts are underway to develop a human Hookworm vaccine through public-private partnerships. However, Hookworms could also be a resource; as Hookworms have the capability to regulate the host's inflammation, researchers are experimentally infecting patients to treat some inflammatory diseases as an approach to discover new anti-inflammatory molecules. This area of endeavour might well yield new biotherapeutics for autoimmune and allergic diseases.
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The Global Economic and Health Burden of Human Hookworm Infection
PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Sarah M. Bartsch, Peter J. Hotez, Lindsey Asti, Kristina M. Zapf, Maria Elena Bottazzi, David J. Diemert, Bruce Y. LeeAbstract:Background Even though human Hookworm Infection is highly endemic in many countries throughout the world, its global economic and health impact is not well known. Without a better understanding of Hookworm’s economic burden worldwide, it is difficult for decision makers such as funders, policy makers, disease control officials, and intervention manufacturers to determine how much time, energy, and resources to invest in Hookworm control. Methodology/Principle Findings We developed a computational simulation model to estimate the economic and health burden of Hookworm Infection in every country, WHO region, and globally, in 2016 from the societal perspective. Globally, Hookworm Infection resulted in a total 2,126,280 DALYs using 2004 disability weight estimates and 4,087,803 DALYs using 2010 disability weight estimates (excluding cognitive impairment outcomes). Including cognitive impairment did not significantly increase DALYs worldwide. Total productivity losses varied with the probability of anemia and calculation method used, ranging from $7.5 billion to $138.9 billion annually using gross national income per capita as a proxy for annual wages and ranging from $2.5 billion to $43.9 billion using minimum wage as a proxy for annual wages. Conclusion Even though Hookworm is classified as a neglected tropical disease, its economic and health burden exceeded published estimates for a number of diseases that have received comparatively more attention than Hookworm such as rotavirus. Additionally, certain large countries that are transitioning to higher income countries such as Brazil and China, still face considerable Hookworm burden.
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developing vaccines to combat Hookworm Infection and intestinal schistosomiasis
Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2010Co-Authors: Peter J. Hotez, Jeffrey M. Bethony, David Diemert, Mark S Pearson, Alex LoukasAbstract:Hookworm Infection and schistosomiasis rank among the most important health problems in developing countries. Both cause anaemia and malnutrition, and schistosomiasis also results in substantial intestinal, liver and genitourinary pathology. In sub-Saharan Africa and Brazil, co-Infections with the Hookworm, Necator americanus, and the intestinal schistosome, Schistosoma mansoni, are common. The development of vaccines for these Infections could substantially reduce the global disability associated with these helminthiases. New genomic, proteomic, immunological and X-ray crystallographic data have led to the discovery of several promising candidate vaccine antigens. Here, we describe recent progress in this field and the rationale for vaccine development.
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Human Hookworm Infection in the 21st Century
Advances in parasitology, 2004Co-Authors: Simon Brooker, Jeffrey M. Bethony, Peter J. HotezAbstract:Abstract The scientific study of human Hookworm Infection began at the dawn of the twentieth century. In recent years, there have been dramatic improvements in our understanding of many aspects of this globally widespread parasite. This chapter reviews recent advances in our understanding in the biology, immunology, epidemiology, public health significance and control of Hookworm, and to look forward to the study of this important parasite in the 21st century. Advances in molecular biology has lead to the identification of a variety of new molecules from Hookworms, which have importance either in the molecular pathogenesis of Hookworm Infection or in the host–parasite relationship; some are also promising vaccine targets. At present, relatively little is known about the immune responses to Hookworm Infection, although it has recently been speculated that Hookworm and other helminths may modulate specific immune responses to other pathogens and vaccines. Our epidemiological understanding of Hookworm has improved through the development of mathematical models of transmission dynamics, which coupled with decades of field research across mutliple epidemiological settings, have shown that certain population characteristics can now be recognised as common to the epidemiology, population biology and control of Hookworm and other helminth species. Recent recognition of the subtle, but significant, impact of Hookworm on health and education, together with the simplicity, safety, low cost and efficacy of chemotherapy has spurred international efforts to control the morbidity due to Infection. Large-scale treatment programmes are currently underway, ideally supported by health education and integrated with the provision of improved water and sanitation. There are also on-going efforts to develop novel anthelmintic drugs and anti-Hookworm vaccines.