Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Malawi Liverpool welcome trust Clinical research programme
Janelisa Musaya is an Associate Professor at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences. Her main research interests concern Schistosomiasis and Trypanosomiasis, with focus on parasite/host interactions and developing control interventions with potential to improve health outcomes. She works closely with the Ministry of Health with current membership of the Technical working Group for Vector borne diseases. She has a major theme of research around Neglected Tropical Diseases following a consortia grant by Wellcome Trust through the H3 Africa that led to understand the genetic determinants of susceptibility of hosts to Trypanosoma infections. She is currently the Associate Director at Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical research programme and a recent recipient of Wellcome Trust Co-investigators award shared with Prof Russell Stothard of LSTM investigating the Hybridisation in urogenital schistosomiasis in Malawi. She also has interest in removing the gender gap in science research.

Presenter of 1 Presentation

02. Parasites of humans

MORBIDITIES ASSOCIATED WITH HYBRID INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN ALONG SOUTH LAKE MALAWI (ID 1890)

Session Type
02. Parasites of humans
Date
08/22/2022
Session Time
13:15 - 14:45
Room
Hall B4.M5+6
Lecture Time
14:15 - 14:35
Onsite or Pre-Recorded
Onsite

Abstract

Abstract Body

The discovery of Schistosoma hybrids in Mangochi and Nsanje had brought a new dimension of biology of schistosomiasis in Malawi. We believe Schistosoma haematobium-hybrids are able to be maintained in environmental transmission through livestock and still infect people and cause disease. The clinical picture of hybrids is humans is not understood and it underpins the course of schistosomiasis control interventions. We have embarked on a study to assess the prevalence of hybrids in the communities in Mangochi and Nsanje districts and to ascertain if there is any increased host morbidity in hybrids or co-infected individuals with a mirrored picture in cattle samples. We are collecting urine, stool and blood samples from 1200 consented participants from each district aged from 2 to 45 years of age. The Urine and stool are inspected for eggs and isolated eggs on FTA card are extracted for ITS PCR and DNA sequencing of cox1 and 18S and ITS regions capable of detecting hybrids. While the blood sample is assessed for anemia and inflammation associated with schistosomiasis, suspected individuals with hybrid infection receive ultrasonography assessment. We will present our preliminary results from human and animal which so far is showing presents of possible hybrids. A possible 22% suspected hybrids in cattle has already been analyzed. We hope our data will add to the understanding of the pathology associated of schistosomiasis in Malawi and the region.

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