Epidemiology and clinical implications of the genetic diversity of Echinococcus spp in Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and southern Africa

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Peter Kern; Dr. Thomas Romig
• Co-Applicants: Professor Dr. Mohamed E. Ahmed; Professor Dr. Ibrahim E. Elmahdi; Professor Dr. Japhet Kithinji Magambo; Dr. Cecilia Mbae; Professor Dr. Michael Ocaido; Dr. Rihab A. Omer; Chummy Sikasunge, Ph.D.; Eberhard Zeyhle
• Subject Area: Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: from 2012 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 215051603

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a frequent and economically important zoonosis with a specific impact on disadvantaged pastoralist communities. Therefore, CE is a neglected disease even in high endemicity regions, and is rated by WHO as one of the most important neglected zoonotic diseases (NZD) worldwide. Research objective is (1) to characterize the epidemiological and clinical implications of the genetic diversity of Echinococcus spp. in Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and southern Africa, and (2) to develop molecular tools for application in epidemiology. CE is caused by a highly diverse complex of species, usually assigned to ‘Echinococcus granulosus’. In Africa at least five independent genotypes exist, with highly different biological characteristics, e.g. infectivity to humans. Little data exist on the consequences for public health, livestock production, or control. Recently developed methods will be used to investigate clinical features, public health and economic impact, transmission cycles, host ranges and geographical occurrence of the genotypes. The establishment of a training/support network including the German and African institutions will provide African scientists with molecular, clinical and epidemiological expertise that will enable them to independent studies of CE and other zoonotic diseases. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of ties with institutions in the new state of South Sudan. The project will provide a long-term perspective for and enhancement of cooperative ties which have been developed between the German and African applicants. It will also form the basis for research on the impact of co-infections on the outcome of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and neglected infectious diseases.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia