Academic literature on the topic 'Schistosomiasis Australia'

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma, results in considerable human morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, but also parts of the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia. The anti-schistosome drug praziquantel is efficacious and safe against the adult parasites of all Schistosoma species infecting humans; however, it does not prevent reinfection and the development of drug resistance is a constant concern. The need to develop an effective vaccine is of great importance if the health of many in the developing world is to be improved. Indeed, vaccination, in combination with other public health measures, can provide an invaluable tool to achieve lasting control, leading to schistosomiasis elimination. Australia has played a leading role in schistosomiasis vaccine research over many years and this review presents an overview of some of the significant contributions made by Australian scientists in this important area.

Accurate data on the health of refugees in primary care is vital to inform clinical practice, monitor disease prevalence, influence policy and promote coordination. We undertook a retrospective clinical audit of newly arrived refugees attending the Darwin refugee primary health service in its first 12 months of operation. Data were collected from the clinic files of refugee patients who attended for their initial health assessment from 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010 and were analysed descriptively. Among 187 refugees who attended in 2009–2010, ~60% were from Asia and 42% were female. The most common diagnoses confirmed by testing were vitamin D deficiency (23%), hepatitis B carrier status (22%), tuberculosis infection (18%), schistosomiasis (17%) and anaemia (17%). The most common documented health conditions recorded by the GPs were vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (66%), followed by schistosomiasis (24%) and dental disease (23%). This clinical audit adds to a limited evidence base suggesting a high prevalence of infectious disease, nutrient deficiency and dental disease among refugees arriving to Australia. GPs involved in the care of refugees must be aware of the epidemiology of disease in this group, as some diseases are rare among the general Australian population. Our results also highlight the ongoing need for advocacy to address service constraints such as limited public dental access for this population.

Soil transmitted helminths (STH), comprising Ascaris, Trichuris, Strongyloides and the hookworms remain a significant cause of morbidity amongst people in many parts of the world, including Australia. Other important helminth infections include lymphatic filariasis (LF), schistosomiasis and onchocerciasis. Preventive chemotherapy (mass drug administration [MDA]) campaigns are frequently conducted for these helminth infections in endemic areas, but the target population groups, duration of campaigns, cointerventions (e.g. vector control) criteria for inclusion, drugs used and doses of drugs differ.

Abstract Focus and outcomes for participants Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a group of communicable diseases caused by a variety of infectious agents including virus, bacteria and parasites. They are prevalent in 149 countries in the tropics and affect more than one billion people living in disadvantaged communities, further limiting their social and economic development. For several NTDs, including the ones that are the focus of this symposium, the main strategy for control consists of preventive chemotherapy: the large-scale administration of drugs to entire communities or specific population groups, without prior individual diagnosis. In this symposium we will present the progress made in several countries in the Asia-Pacific region towards the control of 5 NTDs (lymphatic filariasis, scabies, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminths and trachoma) largely through the scale-up of preventive chemotherapy. We will also describe the contribution of operational research to optimise control and elimination of these infections. At the end of the symposium, participants will be able to: Rationale for the symposium, including for its inclusion in the In 2012 the World Health Organization endorsed ambitious targets towards control and elimination of NTDs. to be reached by the end of 2020. Although not all of those targets will be reached there was remarkable progress in coverage of preventive chemotherapy worldwide with millions of doses of medications such as albendazole, ivermectin and ddiethylcarbamazine distributed annually or bi-annually to populations at risk. In early 2020 WHO released the new roadmap for NTDs, that sets new targets to achieve by 2030. Developed with extensive stakeholder consultation this roadmap aims to build on the momentum created since 2012 to further advance the progress made against NTDs. This symposium will review the current burden of NTDs in the region, summarise the successes achieved and present evidence from operational research that is contributing to the achievement of the WHO targets. Presentation program Names of presenters Associate Professor Susana Vaz Nery, The Kirby Institute – University of New South Wales Professor John Kaldor, The Kirby Institute – University of New South Wales Associate Professor Colleen Lau, Research School of Population Health – Australian National University Professor Andrew Steer, Murdoch Children's Research Institute Professor Vicente J Belizario, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila Names of facilitator or chair Associate Professor Susana Vaz Nery

The potential role of Australian buliniform planorbids in the transmission of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni has been assessedby experimental exposures to infection in the laboratory. No Australian snail became infected with trematode and these results are discussed in relation to previous reports of the transmission of Schistosoma haematobium in Australia. The fact that these planorbids appear to lack susceptibility to human schistosomes has significance for the frequent use of as a generic name for Australian snails in particular, for the synonymising of Isidorella Tate with Bulinus Muller by Hubendick. The genera of Australian buliniform planorbids recognised by Iredale have been examined anatomically and their classification reviewed. The major conclusions reached are: 1/. Isidorella is not congeneric with Bulinus and is an endemic Australian genus. 2/. Iredale's genera Lenameria, Tasmadora and Mutalena are synonyms of Physastra Tapparone Canefri which, in turn, is a synonym of Glyptophysa Crosse. In this classification Physastra is recognised as a subgenus of Glyptophysa, 3/. Glyptamode Iredale is a synonym of Glyptophysea. 4/. Oppletora Iredale and Whitley, synonymised with Bulinus by Hubendick, is actually related to Glyptophysa and is placed in a separate subgenus. 5/. Ancylastrum Bourguignat has been examined and the results confirm Hubendick's opinion that this limpet-like genus is related to Glyptophysa. Two species can be separated by simple anatomical characters. 6/. The genus Bayardella Burch includes two species. B. johni and B. cosmeta, once considered to be a species of Glyptophysa. 7/. Ameriella Cotton is recognised as a subgenus within Amerianna Strand and includes species with a lateral penis pore. The nominate subgenus includes species with a terminal penis pore.