Interactions between ecological and socio-economic drivers of Buruli ulcer burden in Sub-Saharan Africa: opportunities for an improved control

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andes Garchitorena ◽  
Matthew H. Bonds ◽  
Jean-Francois Guégan ◽  
Benjamin Roche
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Mycobacterium Ulcerans ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Sub Saharan

This chapter provides an overview of the complex interactions between ecological and socioeconomic factors for the development and control of Buruli ulcer in Sub-Saharan Africa. We review key ecological and evolutionary processes driving the environmental persistence and proliferation of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent, within aquatic environments, as well as transmission processes from these aquatic environments to human populations. We also outline key socioeconomic factors driving the economic and health burden of Buruli ulcer in endemic regions, revealed by reciprocal feedbacks between poverty, disease transmission from exposure aquatic environments and disease progression to severe stages owing to low access to health care. The implications of such insights for disease control, both in terms of limitations of current strategies and directions for the future, are discussed.

scholarly journals Economic inequality caused by feedbacks between poverty and the dynamics of a rare tropical disease: the case of Buruli ulcer in sub-Saharan Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 282 (1818) ◽  
pp. 20151426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Garchitorena ◽  
Calistus N. Ngonghala ◽  
Jean-Francois Guegan ◽  
Gaëtan Texier ◽  
Martine Bellanger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neglected Tropical Diseases ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Tropical Diseases ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Low Incidence ◽  
Heath Community

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) have received increasing attention in recent years by the global heath community, as they cumulatively constitute substantial burdens of disease as well as barriers for economic development. A number of common tropical diseases such as malaria, hookworm or schistosomiasis have well-documented economic impacts. However, much less is known about the population-level impacts of diseases that are rare but associated with high disability burden, which represent a great number of tropical diseases. Using an individual-based model of Buruli ulcer (BU), we demonstrate that, through feedbacks between health and economic status, such NTDs can have a significant impact on the economic structure of human populations even at low incidence levels. While average wealth is only marginally affected by BU, the economic conditions of certain subpopulations are impacted sufficiently to create changes in measurable population-level inequality. A reduction of the disability burden caused by BU can thus maximize the economic growth of the poorest subpopulations and reduce significantly the economic inequalities introduced by the disease in endemic regions.

scholarly journals Analysis of HIV/AIDS Epidemic and Socioeconomic Factors in Sub-Saharan Africa

Entropy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuman Sun ◽  
Zhiming Li ◽  
Huiguo Zhang ◽  
Haijun Jiang ◽  
Xijian Hu
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Likelihood Method ◽  
Unknown Parameters ◽  
Aids Epidemic ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome ◽  
Hiv Aids

Sub-Saharan Africa has been the epicenter of the outbreak since the spread of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) began to be prevalent. This article proposes several regression models to investigate the relationships between the HIV/AIDS epidemic and socioeconomic factors (the gross domestic product per capita, and population density) in ten countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, for 2011–2016. The maximum likelihood method was used to estimate the unknown parameters of these models along with the Newton–Raphson procedure and Fisher scoring algorithm. Comparing these regression models, there exist significant spatiotemporal non-stationarity and auto-correlations between the HIV/AIDS epidemic and two socioeconomic factors. Based on the empirical results, we suggest that the geographically and temporally weighted Poisson autoregressive (GTWPAR) model is more suitable than other models, and has the better fitting results.

scholarly journals Recurrent Cholera Outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa: Moving beyond Epidemiology to Understand the Environmental Reservoirs and Drivers

Challenges ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Edmond Sanganyado
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Control ◽  
Water Borne

Recurrent cholera outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) attracted a lot of research interest, raising questions about the effectiveness of current prevention and control methods. However, research on cholera and other water-borne diseases in Africa is dominated by epidemiological studies, while investigations on the environmental drivers and reservoirs of cholera remain scarce. The current discourse relating cholera to the environment in SSA is often limited to the rudimentary statement that, “cholera is caused by the consumption of contaminated water and food”. Yet, beyond this simplistic view, literature elsewhere shows that cholera outbreaks are controlled by its complex interactions with environmental drivers and reservoirs. This brings to question whether cholera can be eradicated in SSA without understanding these complex interactions. The current review seeks to (1) highlight the nature and dynamics of recent cholera outbreaks in SSA, (2) discuss the importance of environmental reservoirs of Vibrio cholerae, and anthropogenic and hydroclimatic drivers in controlling the dynamics of cholera outbreaks, and (3) highlight key knowledge gaps and future research directions, and the need to harness emerging research tools such as modeling, machine learning, data mining, and genomics techniques to better understand the cholera dynamics. By bringing to fore these often-overlooked issues in cholera research, we seek to stimulate discussion, and promote a shift toward cross-disciplinary research on cholera and other water-borne diseases in SSA and beyond.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic factors contributing to under-five mortality in sub-Saharan Africa: a decomposition analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carine Van Malderen ◽  
Agbessi Amouzou ◽  
Aluisio J. D. Barros ◽  
Bruno Masquelier ◽  
Herman Van Oyen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals Biological nitrogen fixation and socioeconomic factors for legume production in sub-Saharan Africa: a review

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas. N. Chianu ◽  
E. M. Nkonya ◽  
F. S. Mairura ◽  
Justina. N. Chianu ◽  
F. K. Akinnifesi
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Biological Nitrogen Fixation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Legume Production ◽  
Biological Nitrogen

scholarly journals Aquatic Snails, Passive Hosts of Mycobacterium ulcerans

2004 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 6296-6298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Marsollier ◽  
Tchibozo Sévérin ◽  
Jacques Aubry ◽  
Richard W. Merritt ◽  
Jean-Paul Saint André ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Buruli Ulcer ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Mycobacterium Ulcerans ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Potential Vector ◽  
Ulcer Disease ◽  
Skin Ulcers ◽  
Chronic Skin ◽  
Favorable Conditions ◽  
Water Bugs

ABSTRACT Accumulative indirect evidence of the epidemiology of Mycobacterium ulcerans infections causing chronic skin ulcers (i.e., Buruli ulcer disease) suggests that the development of this pathogen and its transmission to humans are related predominantly to aquatic environments. We report that snails could transitorily harbor M. ulcerans without offering favorable conditions for its growth and replication. A novel intermediate link in the transmission chain of M. ulcerans becomes likely with predator aquatic insects in addition to phytophage insects. Water bugs, such as Naucoris cimicoides, a potential vector of M. ulcerans, were shown to be infected specifically by this bacterium after feeding on snails experimentally exposed to M. ulcerans.

scholarly journals PO 8581 ZOONOTIC VIRAL ANTIGENS SURVEILLANCE IN HEALTHY POPULATIONS LIVING IN LAMBARÉNÉ, GABON

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A58.2-A58
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Bache ◽  
Marguerite M Loembe ◽  
Selidji T Agnandji
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Vaccine Trial ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Viral Antigens ◽  
Sub Saharan

BackgroundWorldwide, viral zoonotic infections such as filoviruses, flaviviruses, nairoviruses and arenaviruses cause self-limiting to severe diseases. They are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, causing sporadic outbreaks warranting the development of sustainable surveillance systems. In Gabon, Ebola outbreaks occurred from 1994 to 2002 causing 214 human cases and 150 deaths, while Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya virus outbreaks occurred between 2007 and 2010. Beyond these outbreaks, little is known about the epidemiology. Recently, in collaboration with the Japanese government, the Research and Health Ministries of Gabon supported the implementation of a biosecurity level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory at CERMEL in Lambaréné as a zoonotic disease surveillance unit. Start-off involved antigen detection and characterisation of circulating antibodies to targeted viral antigens in healthy populations. This study reports data from healthy participants (18–50 years) in a phase I rVSV-ZEBOV-GP Ebola vaccine trial.MethodsHundred-six (106) baseline samples were screened for Ebola, Dengue (serotypes) 1–4 and Chikungunya viral RNA by RT-PCR on serum. IgG ELISA on plasma was used to identify antibodies against: Zaire-Ebola-(EBOV-GP and EBOV-VP40), Marburg-(MARV-GP and MARV-VP40), Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever-(CCHFV-GP), Lasa-(LASV-GPC and LASV-NP), Yellow Fever-(YFV-NS1), West-Nile-(WNV-NS1), Zika virus-(ZIKV-NS1), Chikungunya-(CHIKV-VLP) and Dengue-(DENV1-NS1,DENV2-NS1,DENV3-NS1,DENV4-NS1) virus antigens.ResultsNo viral RNA was isolated by RT-PCR in 106 samples. About 9% (10/106), 3% (3/106), 6% (6/106), 24% (25/106), 51% (54/106), 38% (40/106) and 36% (38/106) participants were seropositive for antibodies specific to EBOV-GP, MARV-GP, CCHFV-GP, YFV-NS1, WNV-NS1, ZIKV-NS1 and CHIKV-VLP, respectively. Twelve percent (12%; 13/106) of participants possessed antibodies specific to Zika, Chikungunya and Dengue 1–4 antigens. Six percent (6%; 6/106) of participants were seropositive for EBOV-GP and CCHFV-GP.ConclusionWe found antibodies to viral zoonotic infections among our healthy volunteers. Further assays, including neutralisation assays are being performed to ascertain the specificity of the antibodies. These findings, once confirmed, will provide insights into disease surveillance, vaccine trial designs, evaluation of post-vaccine immune responses, variability in adverse events and overall disease transmission patterns.

scholarly journals Nonpaternity and Half-Siblingships as Objective Measures of Extramarital Sex: Mathematical Modeling and Simulations

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryosuke Omori ◽  
Nico Nagelkerke ◽  
Laith J. Abu-Raddad
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Extramarital Sex ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background. Understanding the epidemiology of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) requires knowledge of sexual behavior, but self-reported behavior has limitations. We explored the reliability and validity of nonpaternity and half-siblings ratios as biomarkers of current and past extramarital sex. Methods. An individual-based Monte Carlo simulation model was constructed to describe partnering and conception in human populations with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The model was parameterized with representative biological, behavioral, and demographic data. Results. Nonpaternity and half-siblings ratios were strongly correlated with extramarital sex, with Pearson correlation coefficients (PCC) of 0.79 (95% CI: 0.71–0.86) and 0.77 (0.68–0.84), respectively. Age-specific nonpaternity ratios correlated with past extramarital sex at time of conception for different scenarios: for example, PCC, after smoothing by moving averages, was 0.75 (0.52–0.89) in a scenario of steadily decreasing nonmarital sex and 0.39 (0.01–0.73) in a scenario of transient drops in nonmarital sex. Simulations assuming self-reported levels of extramarital sex from Kenya yielded nonpaternity levels lower than global nonpaternity data, suggesting sizable underreporting of extramarital sex. Conclusions. Nonpaternity and half-siblings ratios are useful objective measures of extramarital sex that avoid limitations in self-reported sexual behavior.

scholarly journals Aflatoxin Exposure in Developing Countries: The Critical Interface of Agriculture and Health

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2_suppl2) ◽  
pp. S372-S380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Paul Wild
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Growth Faltering ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Agricultural Setting

Background Aflatoxins are common contaminants of staple foods in sub-Saharan Africa. These toxins are human liver carcinogens, especially in combination with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus. However, in an agricultural setting, the effects on growth, immune status, and susceptibility to infectious disease in farm animals are also well recognized. These latter effects have been far less explored in human populations. Objectives To review some of the more recent work on aflatoxins where the health outcomes seen in the agricultural setting, including growth impairment and immune suppression, have been investigated in human populations. The paper draws largely on examples from West Africa. The paper also sets out how knowledge gained about aflatoxins in the agricultural setting can be used to design intervention studies in human populations. Methods A review of the relevant literature. Results Human exposure to aflatoxins begins early in life, and recent studies in West Africa have demonstrated an association between exposure and growth faltering, particularly stunting, in young children. At present the underlying mechanisms for the latter effects are unknown but may include impairment of immunity and increased susceptibility to infections. Simple postharvest intervention strategies were successful in reducing aflatoxin exposure in a subsistence farm setting, providing a rationale for prevention of aflatoxin-related disease. Conclusions There are potential benefits to public health from intervention strategies combining expertise in the agricultural and health settings to address the aflatoxin problem.

scholarly journals LINKING SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING BASED ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICTORS TO DISEASE: AN APPLICATION TO THE SPATIOTEMPORAL MODELLING OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS IN GHANA

2016 ◽  
Vol XLI-B8 ◽  
pp. 215-221
Author(s):  
M. Wrable ◽  
A. Liss ◽  
A. Kulinkina ◽  
M. Koch ◽  
N. K. Biritwum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Health Surveys ◽  
Risk Model ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Environmental Predictors ◽  
Sub Saharan

90% of the worldwide schistosomiasis burden falls on sub-Saharan Africa. Control efforts are often based on infrequent, small-scale health surveys, which are expensive and logistically difficult to conduct. Use of satellite imagery to predictively model infectious disease transmission has great potential for public health applications. Transmission of schistosomiasis requires specific environmental conditions to sustain freshwater snails, however has unknown seasonality, and is difficult to study due to a long lag between infection and clinical symptoms. To overcome this, we employed a comprehensive 8-year time-series built from remote sensing feeds. The purely environmental predictor variables: accumulated precipitation, land surface temperature, vegetative growth indices, and climate zones created from a novel climate regionalization technique, were regressed against 8 years of national surveillance data in Ghana. All data were aggregated temporally into monthly observations, and spatially at the level of administrative districts. The result of an initial mixed effects model had 41% explained variance overall. Stratification by climate zone brought the R<sup>2</sup> as high as 50% for major zones and as high as 59% for minor zones. This can lead to a predictive risk model used to develop a decision support framework to design treatment schemes and direct scarce resources to areas with the highest risk of infection. This framework can be applied to diseases sensitive to climate or to locations where remote sensing would be better suited than health surveys.

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