The 17th International Symposium on Schistosomiasis - Brazil

17 Dec 2024

The 17th International Symposium on Schistosomiasis, organized by Fiocruz, was held 10-13th November 2024 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The central theme was "Perspectives for the elimination of schistosomiasis" that underscores Fiocruz's renewed dedication to eradicating a disease that profoundly impacts communities worldwide. This commitment aligns with their ongoing efforts to eliminate Socially Determined Diseases, including schistosomiasis. 

The symposium highlighted technological advances contributing to the elimination of schistosomiasis, including the imminent launch of pediatric praziquantel, currently in the final stages of regulatory approval, progress in new diagnostic methods and updates on vaccine candidates.

“The XVII International Symposium on Schistosomiasis in Brazil was an outstanding event that brought together experts from across the globe to share the latest research on various aspects of schistosomiasis. It was inspiring to see so many early-career scientists actively participating, learning about innovative techniques, and hearing about the Ministry of Health’s significant efforts to control and eliminate schistosomiasis in Brazil. Congratulations and sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to making this symposium a remarkable success. Let’s continue to work together to eliminate schistosomiasis!” 

Prof David Rollinson

Director of GSA

We were excited to see many GSA colleagues at the symposium, including GSA Working Group Members, who presented their work in Brazil this year.

Day 1

  • Conference session on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: 9am - Michael Templeton, past chair of the GSA Engineering working group "The complex relationship between water, sanitation and hygiene and schistosomiasis". 
  • Initiatives Towards Schistosomiasis Elimination. GSA Director, David Rollinson presented on "Working together to achieve schistosomiasis elimination: the role of the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance" 
  • Round Table Session on Epidemiology, Environment and Sanitation: Poppy Lamberton, past chair of the GSA Research working group, "Interdisciplinary methods to help understand and improve Schistosoma mansoni MDA and WASH based control". Leo Heller, member of the GSA Engineering working group, "WASH and schistosomiasis: what we know, what we suspect, what we don't know". Giulio de Leo, chair of the GSA Engineering working group, "Mitigating schistosomiasis risks in African water management infrastructure: An Action-Oriented Roadmap". 
  • Round Table Session on Clinical and Pathological Aspects: 3:30pm - Jennifer Downs, member of the GSA Genital Schistosomiasis Community of Practice, "Schistosomiasis in Women: Clinical and Pathological Implications". Goylette Chami, member of the GSA Research and Behaviour Change working groups, "Clinical and pathological complexity of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis". 
  • Conference Session on Mechanisms of Drug Resistance, Timothy Anderson, member of the GSA Snail Vectors working group, "Genomic mapping of schistosome drug resistance genes". 

Day 2

  • Round Table Session on Advances in Schistosomiasis Treatment: A Perspective from Clinical Trails: Fernando Bezerra, member of the GSA Diagnostic working group, "Advancements in Schistosomiasis treatment: Insights from clinical trials". Pytsje Hoekstra, Chair of the GSA Diagnostic working group, "Repeated praziquantel treatments do not completely cure S. mansoni infection: Comparing diagnostic performance of urine CCA and CAA detection with Kato-Katz and stool PCR". 
  • Round Table Session on New Approaches to Schistosoma and Intermediate Host Studies: - Martina Laidemitt, Chair of the GSA Snail Vectors working group, "From hyperendemic to the verge of elimination: ongoing discoveries pertaining to the snail vectors of human schistosomiasis".  
  • Round Table Session on Diagnostic Tools in Post-Elimination Settings: Dounia Cherkaoui, PhD, member of the GSA Diagnostic working group, "Closing the diagnostic gap for schistosomiasis". 

Day 3

  • Round Table Session on One Health Approach: Eric Loker, member of the GSA Snail Vectors working group, "The intertwined fates of schistosomes, animals and humans, with implications for colonization, transmission and elimination". Roberta Lima Caldeira, member of the GSA Snail Vectors working group, "Expanding the detection of Schistosoma mansoni in the aquatic environment using the environmental DNA (eDNA) strategy"