Our Work
Research
In order to contribute to the improvement of health of people in endemic areas the Centre Schisto integrates ‘research’ and ‘control’ as the following major research themes:
Epidemiology of Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Helminthiasis: The assessment of infection prevalence and intensities, transmission dynamics, identification of snail hosts, transmission factors, updating of distribution maps.
Polyparasitism in Humans: The study of co-infections.
Genetic Studies: Characterization, genetic factors.
Interactions between Schistosome Species: Hybridisations and interspecific competitions, epidemiological and clinical consequences.
Genetic Diversity of Schistosomes and Snails: Morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization, and the impact of genetic diversity on the host-parasite relationship.
Geographical Information System (GIS): Mapping of risk zones for control interventions.
Treatment Efficacy and Drug Resistance: Efficacy of main anthelminthic drugs, monitoring of development of resistant schistosome strains to Praziquantel.
Alternative and Complementary medicine: Testing the anti-schistosomal activity of plant extracts commonly used for traditional medicine.
Disease Management
The Centre Schisto is particularly involved in the control of schistosomiasis and geohelminthiasis. It contributes to the working out of control strategies, and assists the National Programme for Control of Schistosomiasis and Intestinal Helminthiasis in the implementation of control activities and operational research.
Recent mapping results show the positive impact the annual deworming campaigns in Cameroon are having in the fight agaisnt schistosomiasis.
The strengthening of the capacity of research teams in developing countries, a greater involvement of researchers from these developing countries, and a strong multidisciplinary partnership are essential for an efficient and durable control of parasitic diseases – which represent a serious constraint on human development in the tropics.
By its wide range of scientific expertise, international and national collaboration, and its leading role in research and control of parasitic diseases in Cameroon, the Centre for Schistosomiasis & Parasitology works to promote Community Health, and is an efficient and reliable partner in in-depth scientific research and parasitic disease control.
Training
The Centre Schisto supervises the training of DEA and PhD students from Cameroonian, African, European and American universities. Since its onset, the CSP has been a location where students can easily carry out their final year research in the presence of efficient supervisors. The CSP also organizes various scientific meetings.