Document Detail


Schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China: the era of the Three Gorges Dam.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20375361     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The potential impact of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) on schistosomiasis transmission in China has invoked considerable global concern. The TGD will result in changes in the water level and silt deposition downstream, favoring the reproduction of Oncomelania snails. Combined with blockages of the Yangtze River's tributaries, these changes will increase the schistosomiasis transmission season within the marshlands along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The changing schistosome transmission dynamics necessitate a comprehensive strategy to control schistosomiasis. This review discusses aspects of the epidemiology and transmission of Schistosoma japonicum in China and considers the pathology, clinical outcomes, diagnosis, treatment, immunobiology, and genetics of schistosomiasis japonica together with an overview of current progress in vaccine development, all of which will have an impact on future control efforts. The use of synchronous praziquantel (PZQ) chemotherapy for humans and domestic animals is only temporarily effective, as schistosome reinfection occurs rapidly. Drug delivery requires a substantial infrastructure to regularly cover all parts of an area of endemicity. This makes chemotherapy expensive and, as compliance is often low, a less than satisfactory control option. There is increasing disquiet about the possibility that PZQ-resistant schistosomes will develop. Consequently, as mathematical modeling predicts, vaccine strategies represent an essential component in the future control of schistosomiasis in China. With the inclusion of focal mollusciciding, improvements in sanitation, and health education into the control scenario, China's target of reducing the level of schistosome infection to less than 1% by 2015 may be achievable.
Authors:
Donald P McManus; Darren J Gray; Yuesheng Li; Zheng Feng; Gail M Williams; Donald Stewart; Jose Rey-Ladino; Allen G Ross
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Clinical microbiology reviews     Volume:  23     ISSN:  1098-6618     ISO Abbreviation:  Clin. Microbiol. Rev.     Publication Date:  2010 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-04-08     Completed Date:  2010-06-28     Revised Date:  2011-07-27    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8807282     Medline TA:  Clin Microbiol Rev     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  442-66     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia.
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
China / epidemiology
Ecology
Humans
Rivers / parasitology
Schistosoma japonicum / isolation & purification*
Schistosomiasis japonica / epidemiology*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
//Wellcome Trust
Comments/Corrections

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  A global perspective on hantavirus ecology, epidemiology, and disease.
Next Document:  Training translators for smart drug discovery.