A5079588783- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Helminth infection and control
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Malaria Research and Control
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
University of N'Djamena
2019-2024
Vassar College
2019
Global eradication of human Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis) has been set back by the emergence infections in animals, particularly domestic dogs Canis familiaris. The ecology and epidemiology this reservoir is unknown. We tracked using GPS, inferred diets stable isotope analysis analysed correlates infection Chad, where numbers are greatest. Dogs had small ranges that varied markedly among villages. Diets consisted largely staples faeces. A minority ponds, mostly <200 m from dog-owning...
Abstract Dracunculus medinensis , or human Guinea worm (GW), causes a painful and debilitating infection. The global Worm Eradication Program (GWEP) has successfully reduced GW cases from 3.5 million in 21 countries 1986 to only 30 three remaining 2017. Since 2012, an increase infections domestic dogs, cats baboons been reported. Because these have not followed classical epidemiological patterns resulting water-borne transmission, it hypothesized that transmission occurs via paratenic host....
Whole genome sequencing is being rapidly applied to the study of helminth genomes, including de novo assembly, population genetics, and diagnostic applications. Although late-stage juvenile adult parasites typically produce sufficient DNA for molecular analyses, these parasitic stages are almost always inaccessible in live host; immature life found environment which samples can be collected non-invasively offer a potential alternative, however, yield very low quantities DNA, environmentally...
Contact patterns strongly influence the dynamics of disease transmission in both human and non-human animal populations. Domestic dogs Canis familiaris are a social species reservoir for several zoonotic infections, yet few studies have empirically determined contact within dog Using high-resolution proximity logging technology, we characterised networks free-ranging domestic from two settlements (n = 108 dogs, covering >80% population each settlement) rural Chad. We used these data to...
Background Guinea worm is a debilitating parasitic infection targeted for eradication. Annual human cases have dropped from approximately 3,500,000 in 1986 to 54 2019. Recent identification of canine Chad threatens progress, and therefore detection, prevention, containment priority. We investigated associations between disease knowledge, community engagement, identify opportunities improve active surveillance. Methods surveyed 627 respondents (villagers, local leaders, volunteers,...
Variation in the spatial ecology of animals influences transmission infections and so understanding host behavior can improve control diseases. Despite global distribution free-ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris their role as reservoirs for zoonotic diseases, little is known about dynamics space use. We deployed GPS loggers on owned but from six villages rural Chad, tracked movements 174 individuals dry season 151 wet season. calculated 95% core home ranges using auto-correlated kernel...
Background Guinea worm ( Dracunculus medinensis ) was detected in Chad 2010 after a supposed ten-year absence, posing challenge to the global eradication effort. Initiation of village-based surveillance system 2012 revealed substantial number dogs infected with worm, raising questions about paratenic hosts and cross-species transmission. Methodology/principal findings We coupled genomic case data from 2012-2018 investigate modes transmission between dog human geographic connectivity worms....
Abstract 1. Transmission of infection is affected by the spatial-temporal dynamics host contacts. Domestic dogs Canis familiaris share pathogens with humans and wildlife, managing dog-mediated diseases a priority for public health conservation interests. 2. We combined proximity sensors GPS tracking to analyse variation in contact among free-ranging six villages rural Chad, during both wet dry seasons. investigated dyadic interactions between from different villages, same village but...
The aim of this study was to identify chikungunya vectors and their bioecology in order contribute the response 2020 epidemic cities Abéché Biltine eastern Chad. Immature stages Aedes mosquitoes were collected risk indices (Container index, House index Breteau index) calculated compared using Chi-square test. larvae nymphs reared, resulting adults morphologically identified a dichotomous key. Residual endophilic fauna sampled by morning insecticide spraying chambers. Only female collected. A...
Global eradication of human Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis) has been set back by the emergence infections in animals, particularly domestic dogs Canis familiaris. The ecology and epidemiology this reservoir is unknown. We tracked using GPS, inferred diets stable isotope analysis analysed correlates infection Chad, where numbers are greatest. Dogs had small ranges that varied markedly among villages. Diets consisted largely staples faeces. A minority ponds, mostly <200 m from...
Abstract Whole genome sequencing is being rapidly applied to the study of helminth genomes, including de novo assembly, population genetics, and diagnostic applications. Although late-stage juvenile adult parasites typically produce sufficient DNA for molecular analyses, these parasitic stages are almost always inaccessible in live host; immature life found environment which samples can be collected non-invasively offer a potential alternative, however, yield very low quantities DNA,...
Abstract Background Guinea worm ( Dracunculus medinensis ) was detected in Chad 2010 after a supposed ten year absence, posing challenge to the global eradication effort. Initiation of village-based surveillance system 2012 revealed substantial number dogs infected with worm, raising questions about paratenic hosts and cross-species transmission. Methodology/Principal Findings We coupled genomic data from 2012-2018 cases investigate modes transmission between geographic connectivity for...