George R. Carmody Lecture with Dr. Joanne P. Webster

George R. Carmody Lecture with Dr. Joanne P. Webster

Categories: Lectures and Seminars | Intended for , , , , , ,

Friday, March 17, 2017

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Add to calendar

2200 Richcraft Building

1125 Colonel By Dr, Ottawa, ON

Contact Information

Andrew Simons, 3869, AndrewMSimons@cunet.carleton.ca

Registration

No registration required.

Cost

Free

About this Event

Host Organization: Biology
More Information: Please click here for additional details.

Epidemiology and evolution of zoonotic schistosomiasis in a changing world

with Dr. Joanne P. Webster

Royal Veterinary College, University of London

Abstract: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of profound medical and veterinary importance, which has attracted increased focus and funding for control since the Millennium. However, despite shifts in global health policy towards the implementation of mass chemotherapeutic control programmes (aimed at school-aged children) at the national scale in sub-Saharan Africa, including those expanding out from morbidity control to potential ‘elimination as a public health problem’ in selected countries or regions, challenges remain and novel challenges have emerged. Knowledge on how the phenotype and genotype of Schistosoma spp. populations change in response to praziquantel pressure has important implications for the success of control programmes wherever mass chemotherapy is implemented. A major concern is the potential for reduced drug efficacy and/or the evolution of praziquantel resistance. However, changes in drug efficacy may not be the only explanation for apparent treatment failures and ongoing high transmission in areas of high drug coverage. Here I present data from a series of field and laboratory research on schistosomes of humans, livestock and wildlife across Africa and Asia under contrasting treatment histories and habitat selection pressures. Such research incorporates cutting edge developments in parasitological diagnostic tools and statistical analyses, and from parasite population genetics to genomics. I discuss the results to date in terms of their theoretical and applied implications and applications.
Everyone Welcome!

The lecture will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Please join us for a special reception following the lecture.