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

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Peter Kern; Dr. Thomas Romig
• Co-Applicants: Professor Dr. Mohamed E. Ahmed; Professor Dr. Ibrahim E. Elmahdi; Professor Dr. Martin Grobusch; Professor Dr. Japhet Kithinji Magambo; Dr. Cecilia Mbae; Professor Dr. Michael Ocaido; Dr. Rihab A. Omer; Eberhard Zeyle
• Subject Area: Parasitology and Biology of Tropical Infectious Disease Pathogens
• Term: from 2009 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 68830335

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. Research objective is (1) to characterize the epidemiological and clinical implications of the genetic diversity of Echinococcus spp. in Sudan, Kenya, Uganda and South 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. 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, South Africa, Sudan, Uganda