African Zoonotic Schistosomiasis : a paradigm shift – AfZoonS

Schistosomiasis is a Neglected Tropical parasitic Disease ranking second after Malaria in terms of prevalence and morbidity. The etiological agents of schistosomiasis are trematode worms from Schistosoma genus. Except for S. japonicum, schistosomiasis are not considered as zoonotic pathogens and control measures do not consider the role of animals. After the recent discovery of hybrid parasites infecting both Humans and Animals the paradigm shifts. In agreement with the new WHO roadmap for schistosomiasis elimination as a public health problem at horizon 2030, it is time to consider the role of animal in the parasite transmission in Africa. Animal reservoirs can have impacts in terms of transmission dynamics and subsequent control measures but also in terms of parasite gene flow and their consequences in host/parasite relationships. Based on a One Health approach, AfZoonS project proposes i) to identify the different animal reservoir involved in the epidemiology; ii) to analyze the dynamic of the infection in the different compartments: Human, Animal and the Environment; iii) to measure the parasite gene flow between the different compartments iv) to infer the consequences of this dynamic in terms of prevalence, intensity of infection and morbidity in Human; v) to infer the relative effects of parasite genetic diversity and host sensitivity on subsequent definitive host morbidity; vi) to develop new diagnostic tools for a sustainable disease control vii) to develop mathematical models to assess roles of animal reservoir hosts in the transmission dynamics viii) to co-construct with the human communities (training and bottom-up) in order to join together with the “paradigm shift”. AfZoonS project is divided in 6 WP. i) Human and social sciences ii) Epidemiological monitoring iii) Parasite genetic polymorphism, host genetic background and disease outcome iv) Tracking animal reservoir and parasite in the field v) Diagnostic development vi) Statistic and modelisation.