A call for systems epidemiology to tackle the complexity of schistosomiasis, its control, and elimination

Krauth, S. J. , Balen, J., Gobert, G. N. and Lamberton, P. H.L. (2019) A call for systems epidemiology to tackle the complexity of schistosomiasis, its control, and elimination. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 4(1), 21. (doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed4010021) (PMID:30699922) (PMCID:PMC6473336)

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Abstract

Ever since the first known written report of schistosomiasis in the mid-19th century, researchers have aimed to increase knowledge of the parasites, their hosts, and the mechanisms contributing to infection and disease. This knowledge generation has been paramount for the development of improved intervention strategies. Yet, despite a broad knowledge base of direct risk factors for schistosomiasis, there remains a paucity of information related to more complex, interconnected, and often hidden drivers of transmission that hamper intervention successes and sustainability. Such complex, multidirectional, non-linear, and synergistic interdependencies are best understood by looking at the integrated system as a whole. A research approach able to address this complexity and find previously neglected causal mechanisms for transmission, which include a wide variety of influencing factors, is needed. Systems epidemiology, as a holistic research approach, can integrate knowledge from classical epidemiology, with that of biology, ecology, social sciences, and other disciplines, and link this with informal, tacit knowledge from experts and affected populations. It can help to uncover wider-reaching but difficult-to-identify processes that directly or indirectly influence exposure, infection, transmission, and disease development, as well as how these interrelate and impact one another. Drawing on systems epidemiology to address persisting disease hotspots, failed intervention programmes, and systematically neglected population groups in mass drug administration programmes and research studies, can help overcome barriers in the progress towards schistosomiasis elimination. Generating a comprehensive view of the schistosomiasis system as a whole should thus be a priority research agenda towards the strategic goal of morbidity control and transmission elimination.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Lamberton, Professor Poppy and Krauth, Dr Stefanie
Authors: Krauth, S. J., Balen, J., Gobert, G. N., and Lamberton, P. H.L.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:2414-6366
ISSN (Online):2414-6366
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease 4(1):21
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
730161SCHISTO-PERSISTPoppy LambertonEuropean Research Council (ERC)680088RI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED
745781Cultural, social and economic influences on ongoing schistosomiasis transmission, despite a decade of mass treatment, and the potential for changePoppy LambertonMedical Research Council (MRC)MR/P025447/1RI BIODIVERSITY ANIMAL HEALTH & COMPMED