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. Here are some achievements from the past years.

Main results and achievements

  • The update of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis distribution map in Cameroon
  • The demonstration of frequent polyparasitic infections: most of children (>50 %) were infected with at least 2 helminth parasites
  • The occurrence of synergistic interactions in concurrent infections
  • The suggestion of a genetic predisposition of some individuals to polyparasitism and heavy infections
  • The dynamic epidemiological changes leading to fluctuation in transmission levels and high frequency of mixed Schistosoma haematobium - Schistosoma mansoni infections, leading to high level of ectopic elimination of eggs, with implications on morbidity and diagnosis
  • The decline of Schistosoma intercalatum, an endangered species in Cameroon
  • Description of a new species of a human schistosome: Schistosoma guineensis
  • Genetic characterization of various parasite strains.
  • Efficacy of Praziquantel against Schistosoma haematobium
  • Health education talks and community sensitization
  • Over 100 papers in high-level international scientific journals
  • Efficacy of treatment in mixed infections of schistosomes
  • Monitoring the efficacy of anthelminthic drugs and treatment impacts
  • Schistosomiasis and STH Impact Survey 2018 conducted in 6 Regions of Cameroon.
  • Facilitated Training course in Malacology during 2nd China-Africa Meeting in Cameroon.
  • Diagnostic capacity building for over African and Chinese participants during the 2nd China-Africa Meeting on the Elimination of Schistosomiasis. 
  • 6 Master thesis from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine through research conducted in collaboration with the Centre. 
  • Mass Drug Administration campaigns in collaboration with the National Program for the Control of Schistosomiasis and STH. 
  • Training Course in Malacology and Capacity Building on Schistosomiasis Diagnostic techniques for MSc Students from University of Yaoundé I.

International Collaborators

  • The Natural History Museum, London, UK (Dr. V. R. Southgate, Dr. D. Rollinson).
  • University of Copenhagen, Denmark (Prof. T. Kristensen)
  • University of Ghent, Belgium (Prof. J. Vercruysse)
  • Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Belgium (Prof. B. Gryseels).
  • Institute of Cellular Biology, Roma, Italy (Dr. D. Cioli).
  • CBETM, University of Perpignan, France.
  • Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, London, UK.
  • World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK (Professor Russell Stothard). 
  • University of Aberdeen,UK. 
  • Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland (Dr Penelope Vounatsou; Professor Jürg Utzinger).

National Collaborators

  • Ministry of Public Health.
  • University of Yaoundé I.
  • University of Buea.
  • Centre Pasteur of Cameroon.
  • Medical Research Centre, IMPM.
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