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. 2020 Nov:38:100821.
doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100821. Epub 2020 Nov 21.

Assessment of schistosomiasis endemicity and preventive treatment on coronavirus disease 2019 outcomes in Africa

O T Oyeyemi  1 , O A Okunlola  2 , A D Adebayo  3
Affiliations

Assessment of schistosomiasis endemicity and preventive treatment on coronavirus disease 2019 outcomes in Africa

O T Oyeyemi et al. New Microbes New Infect. 2020 Nov.

Abstract

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, attention has been drawn to the possible interactions between the deadly disease and a few other infections. Although schistosomiasis and other neglected tropical diseases have been proposed to influence susceptibility to COVID-19, no study has looked into this. This study therefore investigated the impact of schistosomiasis on the transmission of COVID-19 and also evaluated the role of praziquantel treatment coverage on COVID-19 outcomes in African countries. The schistosomiasis endemicity and the preventive chemotherapy coverage index statuses were obtained from the World Health Organization databank. COVID-19 data were obtained from the Worldometer COVID-19 report. The data were adjusted and the percentage of COVID-19 cases confirmed, and active cases, recovery and deaths were computed. The COVID-19 outcomes were evaluated relative to schistosomiasis endemicity and treatment coverage. COVID-19 outcomes, especially active cases and recovery rates, were significantly improved in schistosomiasis nonendemic African countries (p < 0.05). While COVID-19 confirmed cases were significantly higher in countries with >75% schistosomiasis preventive chemotherapy coverage index (p < 0.05), improved COVID-19 outcomes were observed relative to active cases and recovery in countries with >75% preventive chemotherapy coverage index (p > 0.05). Schistosomiasis endemicity may be associated with negative COVID-19 outcomes, and higher praziquantel treatment coverage could reduce COVID-19 active cases and improve the recovery rate.

Keywords: African countries; COVID-19 outcomes; interactions; interventional programmes; schistosomiasis PCT coverage.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schistosomiasis preventive treatment coverage (PCT) in African countries.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outcomes in African countries after adjusting for testing capacity. (A) Confirmed cases. (B) Active cases. (C) Recovery. (D) Death.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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