Epidemiology, genetic predisposition and control of polyparasitism infections in humans
Background
Schistosome and geohelminth infections are among the most common of all human infections, affecting more than a quarter of the world's population. Infections are more common among the poorest and most disadvantaged communities, and they are most intense in school-aged children, who are particularly at risk. These parasitic infections constitute an important public health problem and a constant menace in many countries in Africa. Polyparasitism is very common in nature and often involve schistosomiasis, intestinal nematode infections and malaria. Polyparasitic infections have long been ignored by parasitologists, but now our understanding of the genetic factors and immune response will provide us with tools to analyse and apply rational control.
Current research
The main objective of the research is
(1) to study the epidemiology of schistosomiasis and intestinal nematodes in man in Africa
(2) to determine the efficacy of different control measures of schistosomiasis e.g. efficacy of artesunate
(3)a better understanding of polyparasitism in endemic countries in order to apply more rational control programmes.
In particular, the identification of those individuals/groups/children with heavy multiple infections is important to apply more rational control programmes. The objective is also to provide methodological tools to deal with polyparsitism in order to implement/develop control strategies to reduce its impact on human populations, especially schoolchildren who are particularly at risk.
CONTACT
Prof. Dr. Jozef Vercruysse 
Publications since 2002
Kane, R.A., Bartley, J., Stothard, J.R., Vercruysse, J., Rollinson, D., Southgate, V.R., 2002. Application of single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis with fluorescent primers for differentiation of Schistosoma haematobium group species. T Roy Soc Trop Med H 96, 235-241.
De Clercq, D., Vercruysse, J., Kongs, A., Verlé, P., Dompnier, J.P., Faye, P.C., 2002. Efficacy of artsesunate and praziquantel in Schistosoma haematobium infected schoolchildren. Acta Tropica 82, 61-66.
Remoué, F., Diallo, T., Angeli, V., Herve, M., De Clercq, D., Schacht, A.M., Charrier, N., Capron, M., Vercruysse, J., Ly, A., Capron, A., Riveau, G., 2003. Malaria co-infection in children influences antibodies response to vaccinal candidate against schistosomiasis and inflammatory markers associated with morbidity. T Roy Soc Trop Med H 97, 361-364.
Tchuem Tchuenté, L.A., Behnke, J.M., Gilbert, F., Southgate, V.R., Vercruysse, J., 2003. Polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium and soil-transmitted helminth infections among school children in Loum, Cameroon. Trop Med Int H 8, 975-986.
Tchuem Tchuenté, L.A., Southgate, V.R., Jourdane, J., Webster, BL., Vercruysse, J., 2003. Schistosoma intercalatum : an endangered species in Cameroon. Trends Parasitology 19, 389 - 393.
Scott, J.T., Vereecken, K., Diakhaté, M.M., Vanagt, T., Sambou, V., Diop, M. , Ly, A., Vercruysse, J., Gryseels, B., Kestens, L., 2004. Are the cellular immune responses of children and adults to Schistosoma mansoni infection intrinsically different? Cytokines produced ex vivo in response to antigens and mitogens. Parasite Immun 206, 29-36.
Tchuem Tchuenté, L.A., Shaw, D.J., Polla, L., Cioli, D., Vercruysse, J., 2004. Efficacy of praziquantel against Schistosoma haematobium infection in children. Am J Trop Med Hyg 71, 778-782.