New Insight On Therapy For Devastating Parasitic Disease Jul 3, 2009
A drug called praziquantel has been used as the main treatment for Schistosomiasis for several decades, but surprisingly, scientists have never understood how this drug works to kill the parasitic worms that cause this disease. Deciphering how this drug works is important because scientists could design new drugs that work in similar ways should the parasites develop resistance to praziquantel. (Science Daily)
Africa: Obama Administration Tackling Wide Range of African Issues - Johnnie Carson [interview] Jul 2, 2009
There is no question that aid that gets down to the grass roots - that is used to deal with issues of public health, to fight HIV/Aids, to assist people in dealing with malaria or schistosomiasis; that helps to build capacity - can be a critical and valuable element in our assistance policy. Corruption is an issue closely tied to the effectiveness of development assistance. (allAfrica.com)
Newsweek: Infectious diseases likely to increase Jun 24, 2009
The region became a hotbed for schistosomiasis where it didn't exist before; currently, more than 200 million people are victims. Among flies, too, malignant species are winning out: as a result of deforestation, sand flies have surged into human populations in South America and South Asia, infecting millions each year with leishmaniasis, a protozoan parasite that causes skin ulcers and attacks the liver, spleen and bone marrow. (MSNBC -- Health)
NIH Launches Drug Program for Rare Diseases May 21, 2009
One target under consideration for the NIH drug-development program is a potential new treatment for schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that affects about 200 million people world-wide and can cause internal bleeding and organ damage. In 2008 a team of researchers from NIH and Illinois State University wrote about chemicals that appear to inhibit an enzyme that's needed by the parasites that spread the disease to survive. (SmartMoney)
Tanzania combines beauty, culture with staggering problems Apr 29, 2009
After schistosomiasis and trypanosomiasis, I remember giggling nervously when she said plague. That at least I was familiar with. (Lompoc Record, CA)
Robot makes key artificial intelligence step: study Apr 4, 2009
Adam is a prototype, and King's team is at work on a follow-up robot, named Eve, which they say holds promise for scientists seeking new drugs to fight diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis. 2009. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Robot Scientist: First Machine To Make Discovery Apr 3, 2009
Adam is a still a prototype, but Prof King's team believe that their next robot, Eve, holds great promise for scientists searching for new drugs to combat diseases such as malaria and schistosomiasis, an infection caused by a type of parasitic worm in the tropics. Prof King continued: "If science was more efficient it would be better placed to help solve society's problems. One way to make science more efficient is through automation. Automation was the driving force behind much of the 19th and... (Science Daily)
Tropical Disease Experts Call For A 'Global Fund To Fight Neglected Tropical Diseases' Mar 27, 2008
The NTDs, such as intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, elephantiasis, and river blindness, represent the most common infections of the world's poorest--the bottom billion ... The proposal to establish a "Global Fund to Fight Neglected Tropical Diseases" is co-authored by Professor David Molyneux (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK), Professor Alan Fenwick (Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Imperial College London, UK), Dr Lorenzo Savioli (Director, Department of Neglected Tropical... (Science Daily)
Parasitic Worm May Be More Widespread Than Previously Thought Mar 22, 2008
Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease which affects over 200 million people worldwide, is caused by several flatworm species of the genus Schistosoma ... However, based on the implications of this new study, the control of Mekong schistosomiasis could be problematic ... 14, 2007) Researchers provide new details about the inner workings of a parasitic worm that causes a tropical disease called schistosomiasis, which leads to itchy skin, fever, chills, muscle aches, and liver. (Science Daily)
New drug identified in U.S. for parasitic worm disease Mar 17, 2008
BEIJING, March 17 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. researchers have identified a new drug that hold promise as potential therapies for schistosomiasis -- a parasitic worm disease that afflicts more than 200 million people worldwide ... The results exceeded all benchmarks set by the World Health Organization for potential new drugs to treat schistosomiasis ... Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia or snail fever, affects an estimated 207 million people, most of whom live in developing nations in tropical... (Xinhuanet, China)
Scientists identify new leads for treating parasitic worm disease Mar 17, 2008
Compounds may provide much-needed new weapons in worldwide battle against schistosomiasis. A research team supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Roadmap and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has identified chemical compounds that hold promise as potential therapies for schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease that afflicts more than 200 million people worldwide ... and NIHs Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC) report that chemical compounds known as... (EurekAlert!)
Schistosomiasis More Debilitating Than Previously Estimated, Study Shows Mar 7, 2008
7, 2008) Public health researchers at Brown University have found that the health burden of an Asian strain of schistosomiasis is much more debilitating than previously thought ... The impact of symptoms associated with schistosomiasis japonica is 7 to 46 times greater than current global estimates, the Brown research team found ... This is the first strain-specific study of the global disease burden of schistosomiasis and is part of a growing body of evidence that the serious health effects of... (Science Daily)
China gets rewarded in combating major disasters Mar 6, 2008
The number of diseases covered by the state plan for immunization and disease prevention was increased from 7 to 15, and AIDS, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis and other major communicable diseases are treated free of charge. During the past five years, infant and maternal mortality rates dropped significantly, while average life expectancy reached 73 years in 2005. (Xinhuanet, China)
USAID Fights Neglected Tropical Diseases Feb 23, 2008
The initiative will build on U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) investments in NTDs control and will target seven major diseases: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm). Approximately one billion people, mostly in the developing world, suffer from one or more NTDs. (PR Newswire)
In Africa, Bush denies intent to build bases Feb 21, 2008
With Kufuor by his side, Bush announced he would make available $350 million over five years to provide treatment for tropical diseases such as river blindness, hookworm and schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever. Many health experts say such tropical diseases have been neglected amid the focus on AIDS and malaria. (International Herald Tribune)
Fact Sheet: Fighting Neglected Tropical Diseases Around The World Feb 20, 2008
This Initiative will make a total of $350 million available over five years to provide integrated treatment of more than 300 million people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and target seven major NTDs: lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis); schistosomiasis (snail fever); trachoma (eye infection); onchocerciasis (river blindness); and three soil-transmitted helminthes (STHs hookworm, roundworm, whipworm). This investment increases the United States' commitment to NTDs from $15 million in 2008 to... (White House News Releases)
Looking beyond poverty Feb 19, 2008
A water contact disease prevalent in the country is schistosomiasis. Vectorborne diseases include malaria and yellow fever, and are high risks in some locations. (Pocatello Idaho State Journal, ID)
Zanzibar Study Paves Way For Mass Co-delivery Of Three Antiparasitic Drugs Jan 24, 2008
The study shows the safety of delivering three drugs simultaneously -- ivermectin, albendazole and praziquantel -- in order to tackle three diseases, elephantiasis (lymphatic filariasis), soil-transmitted worms (helminths), and schistosomiasis ... First, a total of 5055 Zanzibari children and adults living in areas endemic for lymphatic filariasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), and schistosomiasis were enrolled in a pilot study ... The data suggest that co-administration of the three... (Science Daily)
Drug cocktail could help parasite victims: study Jan 23, 2008
The drugs treat elephantiasis -- also known as lymphatic filariasis -- soil-transmitted worms and schistosomiasis. All the treatments are known to be effective but the impact of delivering them all at once was not known. (Scientific American)
Controlling schistosomiasis: buffalo or snails? Jan 22, 2008
Controlling schistosomiasis: buffalo or snails ... Controlling schistosomiasis: buffalo or snails ... In a related perspective article, Song Liang and Robert Spear, who were not involved in the study, discuss the findings and conclude that the modeling approach can be a useful tool in exploring schistosomiasis transmission in other settings, and may even apply to other macroparasites. (EurekAlert!)
More of this story Jan 18, 2008
Patients needed treatment for, among other ailments, cerebral malaria, scabies, schistosomiasis (worms), tooth extractions, fibroid tumors, lacerations, cyst drainage and HIV testing. Medical assistant and volunteer look at X-ray of patient at Bonyo health center in Kenya. (Cleveland Jewish News, OH)
Neglected tropical diseases burden those overseas, but travelers also at risk Dec 26, 2007
Though little known to most Americans, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, leishmaniasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis and other so-called neglected tropical diseases are responsible for severe health burdens, especially among the worlds poorest people. Together, it is estimated that these illnesses, most of which are caused by worms or other parasites, rank sixth among all conditions worldwide in robbing people of quality of life and life itself through disability or premature death,... (EurekAlert!)
Is it the water? Dec 18, 2007
200 million schistosomiasis sufferers. 6 million people who have been struck blind by trachoma. (CNN -- International)
Fast Facts: Ethiopia Dec 1, 2007
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and cutaneous leishmaniasis are high risks in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2007). Nationality: noun: Ethiopian(s) adjective: Ethiopian. (CBS News -- World)
Parasitic Tropical Diseases In The Americas -- A Legacy Of Slavery -- Can Be Eliminated Nov 27, 2007
26, 2007) Although it has been speculated for more than a century that the slave trade was responsible for bringing many tropical diseases to the Americas, only recently has convincing evidence shown that lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) originated in this way ... "Lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and onchocerciasis were most likely imported to the Americas through transportation of millions of persons from sub-Saharan Africa to... (Science Daily)
China to build sanitary toilets for fishermen to tackle water-borne disease Nov 24, 2007
BEIJING, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- China will build sanitary toilets to reduce the incidence among the fishing population of schistosomiasis, a water-borne parasitic worm disease ... Schistosomiasis, a wasting disease that causes blood loss and tissue damage, afflicted many Chinese before the 1960s owing to widespread poor waste treatment in rural latrines, fishing boats and water ... Located south of the Yangtze River and home to China's largest freshwater lake -- Poyang Lake -- Jiangxi is one of the... (Xinhuanet, China)
* Bringing an African village into the 21st century Oct 23, 2007
The swamps are host to malaria, schistosomiasis and jigger worms, which burrow into human skin and can cause secondary infections, including tetanus and gangrene. Joyce confesses she is too tired -- and, anyway, doesn't have enough time in her day -- to boil the water before her children drink and wash in it. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Health minister outlines strategy for future Oct 13, 2007
Other keys to improving China's health include the prevention and control of liver diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and schistosomiasis (snail fever), metabolic syndrome and cancer. The strategy also highlights mental health with an accent on the young and the elderly. (Xinhuanet, China)
Bello: Global South, Global Warming Oct 13, 2007
One result is the resurgence of diseases that had been brought under control, like tuberculosis and schistosomiasis. Cuba, in contrast, has won plaudits for its rural health care system, which is ironic, says Wen, given that the Cuban system was based on the Maoist eras barefoot doctor system. (Zmag.org)
A Man with Gastric Cancer and Lung Nodules Sep 21, 2007
NEJM -- Case 29-2007 -- A 51-Year-Old Man with Gastric Cancer and Lung Nodules. Please for full text and personal services. (New England Journal of Medicine)
China's sick left to pay or die Sep 14, 2007
During the same period there were substantial declines in recorded cases of tuberculosis, hepatitis B, and schistosomiasis, as well as improvements in infant mortality. Most of these gains, however, have levelled off since 1978, when rural cooperatives - which organised health insurance - were abolished, and doctors and health authorities were encouraged to find private sources of income. (Guardian Unlimited -- World)
Story ideas from molecular & cellular proteomics Sep 13, 2007
Finding better ways to treat schistosomiasis, a tropical disease caused by a parasitic worm ... Finding better ways to treat schistosomiasis, a tropical disease caused by a parasitic worm ... Researchers provide new details about the inner workings of a parasitic worm that causes a tropical disease called schistosomiasis, which leads to itchy skin, fever, chills, muscle aches, and liver disease that, in some cases, can be fatal. (EurekAlert!)
Physician and Pathologist Jim McKerrow wages battle against the lowly blood fluke Jul 9, 2007
"I went to a lecture by a parasitologist named Donald Heyneman, and he talked about rafting down the Omo River in Ethiopia, studying the diseases of people living in Stone Age tribes. He talked about this disease called schistosomiasis. I went up to him afterward and said, 'Does anyone have access to this parasite or do I have to go to Ethiopia?' He said, 'We have it right here at UCSF in my laboratory.' It's called a blood fluke. Most people in this country have never heard of it, fewer people... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Biocontrol of invasive water hyacinth contributes to socioeconomic and health improvements in Africa Jul 8, 2007
In the Lake Victoria region, water hyacinth threatened livelihoods of local communities by reducing fish populations, fouling hydroelectric power turbines, and providing habitats for malaria and schistosomiasis vectors ... Human health was also threatened because the large weed mats created breeding habitat for the vectors of malaria and schistosomiasis. (EurekAlert!)
Microarray analysis of gene expression induced by sexual contact in Schistosoma mansoni Jun 20, 2007
The parasitic trematode Schistosoma mansoni is one of the major causative agents of Schistosomiasis, a disease that affects approximately 200 million people, mostly in developing countries. Since much of the pathology is associated with eggs laid by the female worm, understanding the mechanisms involved in oogenesis and sexual maturation is an important step towards the discovery of new targets for effective drug therapy. (BioMed Central)
What is Schistosomiasis? Jun 2, 2007
What is Schistosomiasis ... What is Schistosomiasis ... What is Schistosomiasis. (Suite101.com)
The Spread of Schistosomes Jun 2, 2007
blood parasites, cause schistosomiasis, a devastating parasitic disease that is common in some parts of the world ... Once snails are there, the stage is set for schistosomiasis add human waste containing schistosoma eggs to the water and a local epidemic will result ... Should travelers worry about catching schistosomiasis. (Suite101.com)
Small-scale Agricultural Changes May Help Eradicate Widespread Disease Jun 1, 2007
Researchers working in remote farming villages in western China report that providing medicine to infected people and animals, along with modifying irrigation and waste treatment practices could reduce, or even eliminate, the long-term transmission of schistosomiasis. Schistosomiasis is a disease that can affect the liver, the gastrointestinal tract or the bladder ... Right now, governments in many countries where the disease is prevalent provide medicine to afflicted people, as well as a... (Science Daily)
W/R GHS to undertake mass drug administration Apr 26, 2007
Dr. Vanotoo said the exercise forms part of the Mass Drug Administration for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which includes Schistosomiasis, Trachoma, Soil Transmitted Helminths (intestinal worms), Yaws, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer. She said people with large scrotums would be registered during the exercise for treatment of hernia and hydrocele. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Merck KGaA, WHO Donate Pills to Fight Worm Disease in Africa Apr 22, 2007
The medicine, developed 30 years ago with German drugmaker Bayer AG, is the most effective way of treating schistosomiasis, a chronic infection that causes stunting and reduces children's ability to learn, Darmstadt, Germany-based Merck and Geneva-based WHO said in a statement today. The drugs will be enough for about 80 million youngsters, whose countries are unable to pay for the treatment at commercial prices. (Bloomberg)
Merck donates pills in Africa worm fight Apr 20, 2007
The WHO said the drugs, which will be given over 10 years, would help tackle schistosomiasis, which affects about 180 million people, most of them children in Africa ... About 85 percent of the people with schistosomiasis, which can cause severe anaemia, impair nutritional status and stunt the growth and development of children, live in Africa. (Reuters AlertNet)
China urgently needs to protect its wetlands Apr 20, 2007
Marine life has been decimated and people are catching a disease called schistosomiasis -- caught by swimming or wading in water where there are parasitic worms. The water area of Dongting Lake has shrunk from 4,350 sq km in 1949 to present 2,625 sq km as a result of silting and land reclamation for farming. (Xinhuanet, China)
WHO Developing Plan to Tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases Apr 20, 2007
A trusted source of newsand information since 1942. And, breaking barriers has been a long process of thinking, moving from 'I am in charge of leprosy' to 'I am in charge of neglected tropical disease of which leprosy is one of the diseases' is a big change in the way things are doing. (Voice of America)
Aust to 'suffer extensively' from climate change Apr 6, 2007
It also says warmer temperatures and decreasing water resources will increase the burden of diseases such as diarrhoea, malaria, dengue, filariasis and schistosomiasis. World's poor 'hardest hit. (ABC News Online, Australia -- Offbeat)
River parasite eats at children Mar 14, 2007
But the water hides a debilitating scourge: schistosomiasis, a disease spread by microscopic parasites that live in the river, burrow through skin and slowly infect organs, stunting children's growth and sometimes causing death ... Studies show that a single dose--at a cost of 20 cents--can reverse up to 90 percent of the damaging health effects of schistosomiasis within six months of treatment ... Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever or bilharzia, has become yet another plague--like... (FOX59, IN)
China plans more methane projects in rural area Feb 22, 2007
In the mean time, methane pits also serve as an important method to control spread of schistosomiasis and pig-borne bacteria streptococcus suis as well as other diseases in rural area, Wei said, adding that test shows methane pits can completely kill schistosome eggs. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, there would be 50 million methane pits by 2010. (Xinhuanet, China)
Ethiopia: Jimmy Carter Promotes African Health Needs Feb 10, 2007
During the delegation's final stop, in Nigeria, President Carter will meet with President Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo to request further governmental support to help Carter Center-assisted programs combat schistosomiasis and other neglected diseases. People living in developing nations die or are disabled because they do not have access to the services they need to treat their illness or avoid infection entirely. (allAfrica.com)
Stakeholders meet on neglected tropical diseases Feb 7, 2007
Five of the ancient neglected tropical diseases 96 Trachoma; Lymphatic Filariasisl; Onchocerciasis; Schistosomiasis and intestinal worms - are associated with poverty and poor environment ... In Africa alone, about 30 million people with schistosomiasis suffer permanent and life threatening complications ... Alan Fenwick of the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative of the St. Mary's University, London, who gave the global overview, noted that safe and effective drugs existed but were not affordable... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
School deworming programme begins next Monday Feb 6, 2007
He said the deworming exercises would be carried out in two phases with the first being the treatment for common worms such as hookworms, round worms and whipworms and the second phase to be carried out later in the year being treatment for schistosomiasis (bilharzias), a type of worm infestation caused by water-transmitted worms. Mr Ampofo-Twumasi said the Government was committed to achieving the goals of education for all and as part of the initiative the Government introduced the Capitation... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
New Program Aims to Treat World's Most Devastating Diseases UCSF, Jan. 04 Jan 5, 2007
Neglected diseases include malaria, African sleeping sickness, schistosomiasis, Chagas' disease and tuberculosis ... "The Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals (MIPN) is a newly established institute that aims to stimulate and sustain the global competitiveness of the Malaysian biopharmaceutical and nutritional supplement industries."I really believe that increased training of graduate students and postdocs from developing countries will eventually bring the greatest rewards... (University of California Newswire, CA)
