Multi-host multi-parasite evolution and impact in action: challenges for the schistosomiasis elimination targets
Zoonoses, diseases transmitted between animals and humans, pose a critical global health threat. Increased migration, changing agricultural practices and climate, all enhance the spread of infectious agents among humans and animals, facilitating co-infection and genetic exchange, creating new genotypes. Schistosomiasis is a major Neglected Tropical Disease, with over 250 million people currently infected and untold millions of livestock. Despite over two decades of human mass drug administration, the burden of schistosomiasis remains extremely high in certain regions. Whilst animal hosts are acknowledged as zoonotic reservoirs across Asia, elsewhere any zoonotic component of schistosomiasis transmission and its implications for disease control has, until now, been largely ignored. This is true of both Schistosoma mansoni, but also notably, S. haematobium, which was assumed to be an exclusively human infection – and thus amenable to elimination by targeting treatment of humans alone. Here, Professor Joanne Webster will present some of her and her team’s recent research revealing widespread viable hybridization between schistosome species of humans with those of livestock throughout Africa and beyond and their roles in disease persistence. This work raises profound epidemiological and evolutionary implications regarding the One Health control strategies needed, as well as for multi-host pathogen transmission dynamics in general in our rapidly changing world.
Date:
10 March 2025, 15:00
Venue:
Biology Mansfield Road, 11a Mansfield Road OX1 3SZ
Venue Details:
Biology Research and Admin Building, 11a Mansfield Road, OX1 3SZ, Seminar room
Speakers:
Speaker to be announced
Organising department:
Department of Biology
Organiser:
Andrea Kastner (Department of Biology)
Organiser contact email address:
andrea.kastner@biology.ox.ac.uk
Host:
Dr Anna Borlase (Department of Biology/Oxford)
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Members of the University only
Editor:
Andrea Kastner
