Introduction to Schistosomiasis & 'Project Say NO to Schistosoma'

    As part of a Service Learning project through Rockhurst University's Evolution lecture, led by Dr. Mindy Walker, we have been assigned to not only join a Grid Computing effort but to also record our progress as we learn about the disease that our Grid Computing efforts are researching. 

     Grid computing, or the mass networking of computers driven to process together a single application, is a truly novel concept.  The advantage of grid computing is that instead of utilizing one computer, those who utilize grid computing have unlimited hard drive space, memory, and processing power.  In essence, grid computing allows many computers to tackle an extraordinary effort in a manageable way.

     The Grid that we have joined as part of our individual service learning is focused on researching Schistosomiasis medications and is called 'Project Say NO Schistosoma' (http://www.schistosomaonline.com.br/)

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by an infestation of  larval parasitic worms of the helminth species known as blood flukes or schistosomes. Snails in freshwater sources serve as the carrier to the worm, which is contracted by humans through the skin.  Often those who contract this parasite live in tropical or sub-tropical third-world countries, such as countries in Africa or lower Asia, and have no access to clean, potable water.  Thus, they are easily exposed to schistosomiasis when unclean water carrying the microscopic larvae comes in contact with exposed skin abrasions.

     Once infected, the larvae matures and the worms live parasitically inside the host's body, with different species concentrating on different organs.  The most common organ affected is the urogenital system and the associated veins.  According to the World Health Organization, schistosomiasis affects 240 million people worldwide (http://www.who.int/schistosomiasis/en/). 

The map below illustrates the most affected areas.

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2012/chapter-3-infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/schistosomiasis.htm

     The symptoms of infection can escalate to fatal conditions, however they most often consist of abdominal pain and swelling due to enlarged liver and spleen (as the organs are overrun with larvae and adult schistosomes).  Symptoms also include diarrhea, fever, fatigue, and has even been linked to a increase in the incidence of bladder cancer (http://relief.unboundmedicine.com/relief/ub/view/cdc-yellow-book/204110/all/Schistosomiasis).

Schistosomiasis can be treated with oral drugs, although there is no current vaccine.

A child with schistosomiasis (http://www.ivmproject.net/about/index.cfm?fuseaction=static&label=schistosomiasis)

Adult schistosomes (http://www.e-cleansing.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/schistosoma-schistosoma-japonicum.jpg)