Our Achievements

For 20 years, the Centre for Schistosomiasis and Parasitology has been committed to ensuring that it continuously attains its mission of research capacity building around schistosomiasis and parasitology. Staff at the centre have been committed to forging close links with other partners in the international Neglected Tropical Diseases community.

Epidemiological research

Mapping, transmission dynamics and co-infection patterns across Cameroon's endemic zones.

Parasitological science

Species discovery, genetic characterisation and drug-efficacy monitoring.

Community & treatment

Mass Drug Administration campaigns, health education and treatment delivery.

Capacity building

Training the next generation of African NTD scientists through MSc and PhD programmes.

Finding 01

Epidemiological research

Two decades of nationwide surveys mapping schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis transmission dynamics across Cameroon's endemic zones.

>50% Children infected

2 Schistosoma species mapped

Flagship result

Updated distribution map of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis across Cameroon

A nationwide re-mapping effort revising the baseline for prevalence and transmission across all endemic regions the reference input for CSP's targeting of Mass Drug Administration campaigns, and the direct input feeding Cameroon's contribution to WHO NTD country-profile datasets.

Polyparasitic infections

Demonstration that more than 50% of children carry at least two helminth parasites simultaneously a paradigm shift for diagnostic and treatment protocols nationwide.

Co-infection prevalence >50% in school-age children
Systematic screening across sentinel sites
Basis for combined-treatment protocols

Synergistic interactions

Evidence of synergistic biological interactions in concurrent infections, altering morbidity profiles beyond the sum of single-parasite effects.

Immunological interaction patterns
Elevated morbidity in co-infected hosts
Diagnostic implications for mixed cases

Genetic predisposition

Suggestion of a genetic predisposition of certain individuals to polyparasitism and heavy infections opening a host-genetics research axis.

Familial clustering of heavy infections
Host-genetics hypothesis for chronic carriers
New research axis in CSP's programme

Mixed schistosome infections

Dynamic epidemiological changes leading to fluctuating transmission and high frequency of mixed S. haematobium–S. mansoni infections, with implications on morbidity and diagnosis.

Sympatric transmission zones documented
Revised diagnostic algorithms for endemic areas
Cross-species treatment monitoring

Polyparasitic infections

Demonstration that more than 50% of children carry at least two helminth parasites simultaneously a paradigm shift for diagnostic and treatment protocols nationwide.

Co-infection prevalence >50% in school-age children
Systematic screening across sentinel sites
Basis for combined-treatment protocols

Synergistic interactions

Evidence of synergistic biological interactions in concurrent infections, altering morbidity profiles beyond the sum of single-parasite effects.

Immunological interaction patterns
Elevated morbidity in co-infected hosts
Diagnostic implications for mixed cases

Genetic predisposition

Suggestion of a genetic predisposition of certain individuals to polyparasitism and heavy infections opening a host-genetics research axis.

Familial clustering of heavy infections
Host-genetics hypothesis for chronic carriers
New research axis in CSP's programme

Mixed schistosome infections

Dynamic epidemiological changes leading to fluctuating transmission and high frequency of mixed S. haematobium–S. mansoni infections, with implications on morbidity and diagnosis.

Sympatric transmission zones documented
Revised diagnostic algorithms for endemic areas
Cross-species treatment monitoring

Species discovery

Description of a new human schistosome species: Schistosoma guineensis

A landmark taxonomic contribution, the formal description of a separate human schistosome species, revising the understanding of the S. haematobium group and its epidemiological boundaries in Central and West Africa.

Decline of S. intercalatum

Documented decline of Schistosoma intercalatum, now classified as an endangered species in Cameroon, a rare case of a human parasite on the brink of extinction.

Genetic characterisation

Genetic characterisation of various parasite strains circulating in Cameroon, informing molecular epidemiology and cross-border transmission tracking.

Praziquantel efficacy

Field and clinical evaluation of Praziquantel efficacy against Schistosoma haematobium, feeding into national and WHO treatment guidelines.

Mixed-infection treatment

Efficacy of treatment protocols in mixed schistosome infections, critical evidence for regions where haematobium and mansoni co-circulate.

Outcome

The species boundaries and drug-efficacy data produced here are now part of the evidence base used to set treatment guidance for the S. haematobium group across Central and West Africa.

Flagship programme

Mass Drug Administration campaigns in partnership with the National Programme

Nationwide MDA campaigns delivered in collaboration with the National Program for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH, the largest treatment-delivery channel through which CSP's research feeds into public health at population scale.

Community sensitization

Health education talks and community sensitization campaigns designed to build local awareness of transmission, hygiene and treatment uptake in endemic areas.

Drug efficacy monitoring

Ongoing monitoring of anthelminthic drug efficacy and treatment impacts in the field, feeding evidence back to the national control programme.

Malacology training

Training Course in Malacology delivered to MSc students from University of Yaoundé I, building the next generation of snail-vector specialists.

Diagnostic capacity building

Hands-on capacity building on schistosomiasis diagnostic techniques for MSc students, from Kato-Katz microscopy to modern molecular assays.

Outcome

Treatment no longer stops at the campaign. Efficacy data collected in the field flows back into the national programme, so each round of MDA is adjusted on evidence rather than repeated blind.

Training legacy

Building the technical skills that keep elimination programmes running

From malacology to laboratory diagnostics, the Centre transfers hands-on expertise to field technicians, students and visiting scientists, so that surveillance and control work no longer depends on external missions.

Impact Survey 2018

Schistosomiasis and STH Impact Survey 2018 conducted in 6 Regions of Cameroon, a nationwide reference dataset feeding into the National Control Programme.

China-Africa Malacology training

Facilitated Training course in Malacology during the 2nd China-Africa Meeting in Cameroon, bringing snail-vector expertise to a continental audience.

Diagnostic capacity, Africa & China

Diagnostic capacity building for African and Chinese participants during the 2nd China-Africa Meeting on the Elimination of Schistosomiasis.

Liverpool MSc collaboration

6 Master theses from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine produced through research conducted in collaboration with the Centre.

Outcome

Cameroon now runs its own snail identification, diagnosis and survey work. What once required visiting expertise is carried out by locally trained teams, and that expertise is being passed on beyond the country's borders.

2 M+

People reached through Mass Drug Administration

Cumulative population reached by MDA campaigns conducted with the National Programme for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH.

75%

MDA coverage achieved

National treatment coverage attained across school-age children and at-risk populations in endemic regions.

40+

Students mentored (MSc & PhD)

Cameroonian and international students trained through CSP's research programmes, MSc modules and doctoral supervision.

30+

Sentinel sites across Cameroon

Active field sites where CSP monitors transmission, drug efficacy and diagnostic performance year-round.