Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Physician Assistant Studies (PA)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Holly Levine

Abstract

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, is classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). While there are many NTDs that impact poor people across the world, schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent. Currently 200 million people worldwide are infected with schistosomiasis and 800 million more are at risk for infection. Like other NTDs, this infection is preventable and treatable. Mass drug administration of the anti-parasitic drug praziquantel (the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis) is currently the main method of control. Although, China has recently demonstrated success by employing strategies that involve controlling the infection in the livestock population. Epidemiological surveys should be performed to maximize cost efficiency and proper distribution of praziquantel. Praziquantel cures schistosomiasis but it does not help to prevent reinfection. Therefore, it must be continuously supplied and is a temporary fix. A vaccination would be key to the elimination of schistosomiasis since clean water and proper sewage disposal for everyone in the world is a task that is far from completion and may never occur.

Identifier

SC11.PAS.2018.Ryan.W

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