Prevention and improved diagnosis of adolescent genital disease in schistosomiasis endemic KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (IRSES). (IRSES)

Development of new diagnostic approaches and treatment modalities in the health field depends on translational research with close contact between the clinical field and the latest biotechnological development in immunology and genetics. Totally integrated translation research networks are rare, especially when it comes to solving health problems endemic in the poorer parts of the world, especially in Africa. There is a need for creation of strong networks between laboratories at the forefront of basic research on tropical parasitic diseases and field projects trying to solve such health issues on the ground. Moreover, gender issues are highly in focus after decades of research without such attention, bringing another focus to development of projects. Our network of six European and one African University was established in order to study the gender-based health problem of Female Genital Schistosomiasis. The parasite schistosoma infects 200 million people across the tropical sphere, causing serious disease, and reduced labour- and school capacity in at least 20 million people. It is thus the second most important parasite affecting human health after malaria. The parasite is waterborne, affecting people with water contact, such as women doing laundry or children bathing and playing in rivers. Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS, Bilharzia) is a previously unknown disease that may create gynaecological contact bleeding, friable blood vessels and inflammation. In a cross-sectional Zimbabwean study we found that women with genital schistosomiasis had an almost 3-fold higher odds ratio of having HIV. Others report that immune cells from people with schistosomiasis are more susceptible to HIV, and blood cells in cases with schistosomiasis have more HIV receptors. In a project in South Africa, financed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the University of Copenhagen, we intend to collect evidence of the preventive effects of school-based anti-schistosomal mass treatment on genital lesions and effects on HIV susceptibility and transmission. The result of this project will have a major impact on the possibility of preventing female suffering, including HIV-transmission. This IRSES application focuses on the strengthening of the human network and of capacities between those laboratories and universities in Europe and Africa attached to the South African project. The primary objective of this project is to strengthen research partnership among partner organisations and their scientific competence in the field of parasite-related clinical research and basic laboratory research in the fields of immunology, cell biology and genetics. • To strengthen cooperation among partner organisations, being they European partners or third country partners, for the purpose of developing long-lasting research partnership at the organisational level • To investigate various diagnostic and intervention strategies for the control of Female Genital Schistosomiasis, gender problems and HIV • To enhance the research quality and lift the scientific competence of participating organisations through joint research activities • To educate more and better qualified Masters- and PhD candidates at the international level The application is based on a bottom-up approach, following the ethos of the Marie Curie actions. The partners have developed collaborative links during some years, based on clinical and translational needs for researching together. The participating senior researchers in this project are 13 in number in the seven universities involved. There will be an additional number of students at the PhD and Masters level.

Keywords:GENITAL DISEASE, SOUTH AFRICA, SCHISTOSOMIASIS

Disciplines:Tropical medicine, Public health care, Public health sciences, Public health services

Project type:Collaboration project