A5041766018- Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Epilepsy research and treatment
- Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Parasitic infections in humans and animals
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Immune responses and vaccinations
- Pediatric health and respiratory diseases
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
University of Antwerp
2022-2025
Gouverneur Kinsbergencentrum
2024-2025
Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde
2023
Barcelona Institute for Global Health
2023
Abstract Strong epidemiological evidence suggests that onchocerciasis may be associated with epilepsy—hence the name onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE). However, pathogenesis of OAE still needs to elucidated, as recent studies have failed detect Onchocerca volvulus in central nervous system persons OAE. Therefore, it was suggested a potentially neurotropic virus transmitted by blackflies could play role triggering To investigate this hypothesis, adult were collected an...
Leishmania aethiopica is a zoonotic Old World parasite transmitted by Phlebotomine sand flies and causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ethiopia Kenya. Despite range of clinical manifestations high prevalence treatment failure, L. one the most neglected species genus terms scientific attention. Here, we explored genome diversity analyzing genomes twenty isolates from Ethiopia. Phylogenomic analyses identified two strains as interspecific hybrids involving parent donovani tropica respectively...
This narrative review intends to inform neurologists and public health professionals about Onchocerciasis-Associated Epilepsy (OAE), a neglected problem in many remote onchocerciasis-endemic areas. For epidemiological purposes, we define OAE as sudden-onset of convulsive non-convulsive seizure types, including head nodding seizures (nodding syndrome) previously healthy child aged 3 18 years the absence any other obvious cause for epilepsy, all happening within an area with high ongoing...
Nodding syndrome (NS) is a phenotypic presentation of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE). OAE an important public health problem in areas with high ongoing Onchocerca volvulus transmission. OAE, including NS, preventable by strengthening onchocerciasis elimination programs. The presence tau postmortem brains could be the consequence neuroinflammation directly or indirectly induced O. volvulus. Omics research needed to investigate whether worms contain neurotropic virus.
There is increasing epidemiological evidence supporting the association between onchocerciasis and seizures, reinforcing concept of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE). The aim this paper to provide an update on new knowledge about OAE propose recommendations World Health Organization how address public health problem. During 2nd International Workshop held 19-21 September, 2023, in Antwerp, Belgium, participants recognised as a substantial yet neglected problem, particularly areas...
There is persistent meso- and hyperendemicity of onchocerciasis (river blindness) in South Sudan, a country that has endured armed conflict for many years. In 2018, Amref Health Africa, collaboration with local communities, the Sudan Ministry other stakeholders, initiated some interventions, among which was Innovative Approaches to Reduce Burden Disease Caused by Onchocerciasis (IARDO) project. This project implemented several strategies, including identifying areas where elimination...
<ns3:p>Background Maridi County is an onchocerciasis-endemic area in South Sudan. Annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi) was instituted since the early 2000s, but low coverage. In 2021, CDTi programme strengthened to a six-monthly programme. Additionally, community-based vector control strategy “Slash and Clear” has been implemented 2019 at Dam, only blackfly breeding site area. This study assessed effect of these reinforced onchocerciasis elimination interventions on...
The DDTD biplex A RDT prototype was easy to use in the field but evaluation of its performance relative commercially available Ov16 SD Bioline will require additional research. high seroprevalence suggests ongoing O. volvulus transmission around Maridi Dam. Therefore, strengthening onchocerciasis elimination program should be a public health priority.
Onchocerciasis, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by Onchocerca volvulus, is hyperendemic in many parts of Africa, including South Sudan. Pregnant women may be parasite reservoir as they are not included routine ivermectin (IVM) treatments due to unassessed drug safety. In our study we determined the proportion pregnant infected with volvulus and assessed knowledge practices on IVM use during pregnancy. A hospital-based cross-sectional was conducted 2023 at Maridi hospital County, an...
Background: Point-of-care diagnostic tests are essential for confirming Onchocerca volvulus transmission in remote, resource-limited, onchocerciasis-endemic communities. In Maridi, South Sudan, we field-tested a novel "biplex A" rapid test (RDT) developed by Drugs & Diagnostics Tropical Diseases (DDTD), San Diego, California. Methods: February 2023, children aged 3-9 years were recruited from study sites at different distances the Maridi Dam, known blackfly breeding site. O. antibodies...
There is a pressing need to regularly evaluate the progress of onchocerciasis elimination programmes timely identify and mitigate potential risks hindering reaching 2030 targets proposed by World Health Organization (WHO) in its roadmap on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). We determined prevalence associated dermatological ophthalmological manifestations six endemic communities Bono Region Ghana after 27 years ivermectin mass treatment.In cross-sectional study, 564 participants aged ≥5...
There is increasing international recognition that onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) an important public health problem in onchocerciasis-endemic areas where onchocerciasis elimination programmes were either absent or functioning sub-optimally [1].In several recent population-based studies, it was shown OAE (which includes the nodding syndrome (NS)) preventable by strengthening efforts [2][3][4][5].However, pathogenesis of remains to be elucidated [6].So far, little known about...
<title>Abstract</title> Screening published transcriptomes, we have discovered 75 RNA viruses that infect 27 species of parasitic nematodes, responsible for >1.5 billion infections in people and animals. Our analysis shows extensive diversity a conserved global spread virus/nematode associations across multiple continents suggesting an ancestral acquisition event host-virus co-evolution. Characterization Brugia malayi (BMRV1) Onchocerca volvulus (OVRV1) these are abundant reproductive...
<ns4:p><ns4:bold>Background </ns4:bold></ns4:p><ns4:p> Maridi County is an onchocerciasis-endemic area in South Sudan. Annual community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi) was instituted but interrupted for several years before resuming 2017. In 2021, the CDTi programme strengthened to a six-monthly programme. Additionally, community-based vector control strategy “Slash and Clear” has been implemented since 2019 at Dam, only blackfly breeding site area. This study assessed effect of...
<ns4:p>Background A high prevalence of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) has been observed in onchocerciasis-endemic areas with ongoing <ns4:italic>Onchocerca volvulus</ns4:italic> transmission. However, the pathogenesis OAE remains to be elucidated. We hypothesise that <ns4:italic>O. virome could involved inducing epilepsy. With this study, we aim describe and identify potential neurotropic viruses linked OAE. Methods In Maridi County, an onchocerciasis endemic area South Sudan a...
Abstract Strong epidemiological evidence suggests that onchocerciasis may be associated with epilepsy – hence the name onchocerciasis-associated (OAE). However, pathogenesis of OAE still needs to elucidated, as recent studies failed detect Onchocerca volvulus in central nervous system persons OAE. Therefore, it was suggested a potentially neurotropic virus transmitted by blackflies could play role triggering To investigate this hypothesis, adult were collected an onchocerciasis-endemic area...
Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) is a neglected public health problem in remote African regions endemic to onchocerciasis with suboptimal elimination programmes. OAE manifests previously healthy children aged 3-18 years the absence of any obvious cause for and marked by diverse range seizure types, including head nodding seizures (nodding syndrome). This paper reviews recent studies investigating association between South Sudan. Surveys Maridi, Mundri West, Mvolo Counties...
ABSTRACT Leishmania aethiopica is a zoonotic Old World parasite transmitted by Phlebotomine sand flies and causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ethiopia Kenya. Despite range of clinical manifestations high prevalence treatment failure, L. the most neglected species genus terms scientific attention. Here, we explored genome diversity analyzing genomes twenty isolates from Ethiopia. Phylogenomic analyses identified two strains as interspecific hybrids involving one parent donovani tropica...
Abstract Background High onchocerciasis transmission predisposes endemic communities to a high epilepsy burden. Retrospective studies suggest that adequate control would decrease the burden, but this has never been assessed prospectively. The 4.4% (95% CI: 4.1–4.7%) prevalence documented in 2018 focus Maridi, South Sudan, prompted strengthening of elimination measures. We evaluated effect these interventions on incidence epilepsy, including nodding syndrome (NS). Methods Community-directed...