Schistosoma haematobium is the major cause of parasite induced kidney and bladder damage in endemic areas. Elements contributing to the degree of pathology have been attributed to intensity of infection (worm load), host immune response including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response, and age of the host. However not all pathological outcomes can be attributed to these phenomena and variation of the parasite itself may play a role. In a collaborative study with colleagues from the Blair Research Institute in Zimbabwe we have the opportunity to obtain preliminary data to examine genetic diversity of S. haematobium infections to see if local genetic differences exist between parasite populations and if these differences include genes affecting virulence. This will be done in young adults using RAPD primers on cercariae derived from single miracidium infections (i.e. from individual worms) in a paired case control study. We will identify two study populations from geographically separate parts of a well researched area, obtain ultrasound data of kidney pathology and epidemiological data, select matched controls and obtain parasite material for RAPD amplification using PCR. Fragments will be scored for presence and absence of common bands and analysed for similarity and percent match. Dendrograms prepared from such data will show any genetic associations. The outcome would provide information on the genetic heterogeneity of this schistosome parasite as well as an indication of worm load and whether there may be a genetic element in the development of pathology induced by the parasite.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03DK053207-01
Application #
2441789
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRC)
Project Start
1998-08-24
Project End
2000-06-30
Budget Start
1998-08-24
Budget End
1999-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
045911138
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
Brouwer, Kimberly C; Munatsi, Anderson; Ndhlovu, Patricia D et al. (2004) Urinary schistosomiasis in Zimbabwean school children: predictors of morbidity. Afr Health Sci 4:115-8
Brouwer, Kimberly C; Ndhlovu, Patricia D; Wagatsuma, Yukiko et al. (2003) Epidemiological assessment of Schistosoma haematobium-induced kidney and bladder pathology in rural Zimbabwe. Acta Trop 85:339-47
Brouwer, Kimberly C; Ndhlovu, Patricia D; Wagatsuma, Yukiko et al. (2003) Urinary tract pathology attributed to Schistosoma haematobium: does parasite genetics play a role? Am J Trop Med Hyg 68:456-62
Brouwer, K C; Ndhlovu, P; Munatsi, A et al. (2001) Genetic diversity of a population of Schistosoma haematobium derived from schoolchildren in east central Zimbabwe. J Parasitol 87:762-9
Shiff, C; Brouwer, K C; Clow, L (2000) Schistosoma haematobium: population genetics of S. haematobium by direct measurement of parasite diversity using RAPD-PCR. Exp Parasitol 96:47-51