Praziquantel decreases fecundity in Schistosoma mansoni adult worms that survive treatment

Evidence from a laboratory life-history trade-offs selection study

From:
Department for International Development
Published
16 June 2017
Country:
Niger, Senegal
Document Type:
Journal Article
Theme:
Agriculture, Health
Authors:
Lamberton, P, Faust, C, Webster, J

Abstract

Mass drug administration of praziquantel is the World Health Organization’s endorsed control strategy for schistosomiasis. A decade of annual treatments across sub-Saharan Africa has resulted in significant reductions of infection prevalence and intensity levels, although ‘hotspots’ remain. Repeated drug treatments place strong selective pressures on parasites, which may affect life-history traits that impact transmission dynamics. Understanding drug treatment responses and the evolution of such traits can help inform on how to minimise the risk of drug resistance developing, maximise sustainable control programme success, and improve diagnostic protocols.

This work arises from the Zoonoses and Emerging Livestock Systems (ZELS) programme.

Citation

Lamberton P, Faust C, Webster J (2017). Praziquantel decreases fecundity in Schistosoma mansoni adult worms that survive treatment: evidence from a laboratory life-history trade-offs selection study. Infectious Diseases of Poverty. 6(1): 110

Praziquantel decreases fecundity in Schistosoma mansoni adult worms that survive treatment: evidence from a laboratory life-history trade-offs selection study

Published 16 June 2017
Contents