From Perpetual Wetness to Soil Chemistry: Enumerating Environmental and Physicochemical Factors Favoring Snail Presence in the Municipality of Gonzaga, Cagayan, Philippines.

Snail control to complement mass drug administration is being promoted by the World Health Organization for schistosomiasis control. , the snail intermediate host of in the Philippines, has a very focal distribution; thus, scrutinizing baseline data and parameters affecting this distribution is very crucial. In this study in Gonzaga, Cagayan, Philippines, snail habitats were surveyed, and the various factors affecting the existence of the snails were determined.

The Global Prevalence of , , and in Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting 40 million women of childbearing age worldwide. Its global disease prevalence among pregnant women is still unknown. This meta-analysis determined the pooled prevalence of schistosomiasis among pregnant women globally.

Circulating microRNAs as Biomarkers of Hepatic Fibrosis in Schistosomiasis Japonica Patients in the Philippines.

Host-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) play important regulatory roles in schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis. This study analyzed selected serum miRNAs among Filipino schistosomiasis japonica patients with ultrasound (US)-detectable hepatic fibrosis. A prospective cohort study design with convenience sampling was employed from 2017 to 2019.

Diagnostic Performance of Parasitological, Immunological, Molecular, and Ultrasonographic Tests in Diagnosing Intestinal Schistosomiasis in Fieldworkers From Endemic Municipalities in the Philippines.

Schistosomiasis remains to ha/ve a significant public health impact in the Philippines. The Kato-Katz (K-K) technique is the reference standard and most used technique for definitive diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis for control programs in endemic regions. However, this has a very low sensitivity when applied in areas of low endemicity and patients with light infection.

Prevalence and spatial distribution of heterophyidiasis in Southern Philippines.

Heterophyidiasis is a fish-borne zoonotic disease that is considered to be an emerging public health problem in the Philippines. This study was carried out to determine the spatial distribution and risk factors of heterophyidiasis in five selected villages in New Corella, Davao del Norte in Southern Mindanao. Of the 1,101 individuals examined, 26 (2.

Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi: Snail intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in the Philippines.

Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi is the snail intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum in the Philippines. It was discovered by Dr. Marcos Tubangui in 1932 more than two decades after the discovery of the disease in the country in 1906.

Modelling the impact of MAUP on environmental drivers for Schistosoma japonicum prevalence.

Background: The modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) arises when the support size of a spatial variable affects the relationship between prevalence and environmental risk factors. Its effect on schistosomiasis modelling studies could lead to unreliable parameter estimates. The present research aims to quantify MAUP effects on environmental drivers of Schistosoma japonicum infection by (i) bringing all covariates to the same spatial support, (ii) estimating individual-level regression parameters at 30 m, 90 m, 250 m, 500 m and 1 km spatial supports, and (iii) quantifying the differences between parameter estimates using five models.

Current status of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, ten NTDs are prevalent, but only six namely LF, schistosomiasis, STH, food-borne trematodiases, rabies and leprosy are considered to be of public health importance. The 81 provinces in the country are endemic for at least one of these NTDs. Others may be endemic for two or even more of these diseases.

Detection of Schistosoma japonicum and Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi environmental DNA and its potential utility to schistosomiasis japonica surveillance in the Philippines.

In recent years, the prevalence and infection intensity of Schistosoma japonicum in endemic areas of the Philippines have significantly decreased due to yearly population-based treatment strategies, yet transmission rates remain high and uninterrupted. An important indicator of active disease transmission is the presence of Schistosoma japonicum and its snail intermediate host Oncomelania hupensis quadrasi in freshwater habitats. In this study, we sought to apply a species-specific real-time PCR (qPCR) assay for the detection of S.

Analysis of Environmental DNA and Edaphic Factors for the Detection of the Snail Intermediate Host .

Background: The perpetuation of schistosomiasis japonica in the Philippines depends to a major extent on the persistence of its intermediate host an amphibious snail. While the malacological survey remains the method of choice in determining the contamination of the environment as evidenced by snails infected with schistosome larval stages, an emerging technology known as environmental DNA (eDNA) detection provides an alternative method. Previous reports showed that eDNA could be detected in water, but no reports have been made on its detection in soil.

Preface: Sustained cooperation on research and control of neglected tropical diseases among multisectors and multipartners across borders in Southeast Asia.

This special issue is going to introduce the origins of the "Regional Network on Asian Schistosomiasis (RNAS)" which can be traced back to 1996. RNAS was originally a collaboration of scientists from China and Philippines, and then expanded to Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan and Laos, with focusing on research and control of schistosomiasis japonica. However, at its fifth meeting in Bali, Indonesia in 2005, more countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Korea were brought on board along with a string of neglected tropical diseases such as cysticercosis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis and fascioliasis, and RNAS thus became RNAS.

Multi-disciplinary integration of networking through the RNAS: Research on other target diseases.

In 2005, the network decided to increase its number of target diseases to include other helminthic zoonoses such as fascioliasis, clonorchiasis, opisthorchiasis, paragonimiasis and cysticercosis and in the process expanding membership to include South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan. NTDs were eventually included as awareness is heightened on these diseases affecting poor and developing countries. Researches on clonorchiasis and opisthorchiasis unravel the mechanism by which these diseases eventually predispose to cholangiocarcinoma.

From country control programmes to translational research.

From the time it was conceptualized in 1998 to the present, RNAS has largely concentrated on research that will generate results to facilitate control, prevention and elimination of its target diseases. Diagnostics has remained an active field of research in order to develop tools that are appropriate for each stage from the first efforts until attempts to block transmission. For example, with regard to schistosomiasis, chemotherapy has excellent impact on morbidity, while better diagnostics and vaccine research have been promoted to complement the other components of the control programme.

Needs and coordination mechanism for capacity building by the RNAS.

For the Regional Network on Asian Schistosomiasis and Other Helminth Zoonosis (RNAS), capacity building with emphasis on modern technology with correspondence to traditional techniques was found to be a priority. This article summarized the actual needs of capacity building among RNAS member countries and the working mechanism of capacity building during the last 20 years. The needs with respect to the RNAS target diseases are highly correlated with the research priorities, since most problems with regard to the performance of the national disease control programme in the member countries are connected with inadequate capacity in relation to implementation of innovative research, epidemiological investigations, laboratory performance; and sociological investigations.

Collaborative RNAS research: Priorities and outcomes.

Over the past 20 years, RNAS has been generating research results from highly collaborative projects meant to promote and advance understanding in various aspects of schistosomiasis. Epidemiological studies in endemic countries like the Philippines, the People's Republic of China (PR China), the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Cambodia clarified the role of reservoir hosts in transmission and the use of spatio-temporal methods such as remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS) in surveillance of schistosomiasis. Morbidity studies proposed factors that might influence development of fibrosis, anaemia and malnutrition in schistosomiasis.

Challenges and way forward.

Schistosomiasis, helminthic zoonoses and NTDs constitute a considerable majority of the diseases of poverty in the world. The RNAS targeted zoonoses are not only problems to human and animal health, but also cause poverty in 1 billion poor livestock keepers as well as result in 2.3 billion cases of human illness and 1.

From inspiration to translation: Closing the gap between research and control of helminth zoonoses in Southeast Asia.

Poverty magnifies limitations resulting from traditional biases and environmental risks in endemic areas. Any approach towards disease control needs to recognise that socially embedded vulnerabilities can be as powerful as externally imposed infections. Important for RNAS was networking across borders, not just on schistosomiasis but on the whole spectrum of endemic helminthiases, and this bore fruit in the form of the expansion of RNAS into the 'Regional Network on Asian Schistosomiasis and other Helminth Zoonoses (RNAS)', which focuses on technical standardization, supporting the growth of research capacity and the further development of networking.

Milestones of networking and global engagements for the Regional Network on Asian Schistosomiasis and other Helminthic Zoonoses (RNAS).

This paper introduces the three stages of development of the Regional Network on Asian Schistosomiasis and other Helminthic Zoonoses (RNAS), namely the preparatory stage, the strengthening stage and the expanding stage. Significant achievements have been made through the help of RNAS, particularly on research on helminthiases. As scientists, researchers, academics work closer with control authorities, elimination of these diseases is slowly getting nearer and within reach.

Detection of canine Schistosoma japonicum infection using recombinant thioredoxin peroxidase-1 and tandem repeat proteins.

Humans and dogs live very close together and share various pathogens causing zoonotic parasitoses like schistosomiasis. A previous population genetics study done for schistosomes in the Philippines suggested that there is a high transmission level of Schistosoma japonicum among humans and dogs proving that the latter are important reservoirs for this zoonotic parasite. A more sensitive and specific test detecting schistosome infection in dogs will therefore strengthen the zoonotic surveillance, which might help in the possible elimination of this ancient disease.

Schistosoma japonicum cathepsin B as potential diagnostic antigen for Asian zoonotic schistosomiasis.

In this study, the diagnostic value of Schistosoma japonicum cathepsin B (SjCatB) was evaluated as an antigen for the early detection of S. japonicum infection. SjCatB is a key protease used by the cercaria to penetrate the intact skin of the host for transdermal infection.

Functional illiteracy burden in soil-transmitted helminth (STH) endemic regions of the Philippines: An ecological study and geographical prediction for 2017.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections remain highly endemic across the Philippines, and are believed to be important contributors to delayed cognitive development of school-aged children. Identification of communities where children are at risk of functional illiteracy is important for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals target for literacy. We aimed to quantify the associations between the spatial variation of STH infections and functional literacy indicators adjusting for other important contributors, and identify priority areas in the Philippines in need of interventions.

Modeling Schistosoma japonicum Infection under Pure Specification Bias: Impact of Environmental Drivers of Infection.

Uncertainties in spatial modeling studies of schistosomiasis (SCH) are relevant for the reliable identification of at-risk populations. Ecological fallacy occurs when ecological or group-level analyses, such as spatial aggregations at a specific administrative level, are carried out for an individual-level inference. This could lead to the unreliable identification of at-risk populations, and consequently to fallacies in the drugs’ allocation strategies and their cost-effectiveness.

Determinants of Spatial Heterogeneity of Functional Illiteracy among School-Aged Children in the Philippines: An Ecological Study.

Functional literacy is one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Functional literacy indicators are likely to vary between locations given the geographical variability of its major determinants. This property poses a challenge to decisions around efficient allocation of population services and resources to mitigate the impact of functional literacy in populations most in need.

Spatial distribution and populations at risk of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura co-infections and infection intensity classes: an ecological study.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections are highly prevalent in the Philippines. Mapping the prevalence and high-intensity of STH co-infections can help guide targeted intervention programmes to reduce morbidity, especially among vulnerable school-aged children. In this study, we aimed to predict the spatial distribution of the prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura co-infection and infection intensity classes in the Philippines to identify populations most in need of interventions.