TMC PULSE

t m c » p u l s e | j u n e 2 0 1 4 20 Profiles of Neglected Tropical Diseases the national School of tropical Medicine at baylor college of Medicine, together with its Sabin vaccine institute, texas children's hospital center for vaccine development and other programs based in the tropical Medicine section of the departments of Pediatrics and internal Medicine (infectious diseases), has an active portfolio of products and research devoted to addressing the world's most important neglected tropical diseases. What is it? Half-inch long parasitic worms that feed on human blood and cause intestinal blood loss leading to anemia. Where is it found? Hookworm can be found worldwide, commonly in areas with warm, moist climates. Today, hookworm disease is one of the leading causes of anemia in the poorest countries of Africa, Asia and the Americas. It is one of Africa's leading maternal and child health problems—an estimated 7 million pregnancies in Africa are complicated by hookworm disease. How is it spread? Hookworm is transmitted through contaminated soil. What is being done about it? Through support of the Gates Foundation, Dutch Government and a new European Union-supported HOOKVAC Consortium, a new recombinant pro- tein-based vaccine has been developed by the Sabin Vaccine Institute PDP, which is now in phase one clin- ical trials in Brazil and soon to enter clinical testing in Gabon, in collaboration with the Albert Schweitzer Hospital. Through additional support from the Michelson Medical Research Foundation, efforts are underway to expand the vaccine to cover all of the three major intestinal helminth infections. Rojelio Mejia, M.D., is working to develop new diagnostics for intestinal helminth infections. hookworm disease An estimated 440 million people are infected with hookworms. Schistosomiasis More than 250 million people suffer from schistosomiasis. What is it? A blood fluke (parasitic worm) infection. There are two forms of the disease—intestinal schistosomiasis that also affects the liver, and urogenital schistosomiasis. Where is it found? Most of those infected live in either sub-Saharan Africa or Brazil. Female genital schistosomiasis is now considered one of Africa's most common gynecologic conditions and a major co-factor in Africa's AIDS epidemic. How is it spread? Schistosomiasis is often found in areas of the world with poor sanitation, where swimming or bathing water may be contaminated. What is being done about it? A new shistosomiasis vaccine has also been developed at the Sabin Vaccine Institute and Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, through support from the National Institutes of Health, Texas Children's Hospital, the Michelson Medical Research Foundation, and the Mort Hyman and Blavatnik Family Foundation. The vaccine will soon undergo clinical testing at Baylor College of Medicine's Vaccine Trials Evaluation Unit. (Photos by Center for Disease Control) (Content contributed by Peter Hotez, M.D.)

• Cover