Project

Integrated Anthelmintic-Based control of Taenia solium cysticercosis/taeniasis, Soil-transmitted Helminthiasis and Schistosomiasis: safety, effectiveness and implementation strategies

Acronym
3SI-CONTROL
Code
41K01225
Duration
01 June 2025 → 31 May 2029
Funding
European funding: various
Research disciplines
  • Social sciences
    • Other social sciences not elsewhere classified
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Infectious diseases
    • Parasitology
    • Neurological and neuromuscular diseases
    • Tropical medicine
    • Public health sciences not elsewhere classified
    • Social medical sciences not elsewhere classified
    • Infectious diseases
    • Parasitology
    • Tropical medicine
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Veterinary microbiology
Keywords
One Health schistosomiasis Neglected Infectious Diseases STH control integrated treatment Taenia solium
 
Project description

Control of soil transmitted helminths (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH) has been part of routine programmes for many years, yet, the efficacy and effectiveness of these programmes is challenged by low and failing drug efficacy and growing concerns of anthelmintic resistance, calling for a revision of the MDA-drug strategies. In this regard, the novel fixed-dose co-formulation (FDC) including albendazole and ivermectin has proven to be safe and to overcome most of the challenges in drug efficacy for STH. For T. solium the situation is very different from STH and SCH as currently there are no countries routinely implementing control. 3SI-CONTROL will assess the safety and cost-effectiveness of the FDC co-administration with praziquantel in reducing the prevalence of T. solium, STH and SCH, in a randomised controlled trial embedded in solid implementation research. Results from 3SI-CONTROL will thereby provide a scientific evidence base on the safety and effectiveness of integration of T. solium control with STH and SCH, considering the One Health approach. Beyond this, the substantial implementation research component will enable bridging the gap between the evidence-based practice (results on safety and effectiveness) and the actual implementation in the routine, real-world setting. These results, joined by a comprehensive dissemination and advocacy plan, will provide leverage to stimulate uptake of T. solium in the existing routine NTD control programmes, enabling the implementation of a safe and integrated control strategy with a higher effectiveness, tackling three top ranking NTDs. By harnessing advanced concepts in One Health, implementation research, and pharmacovigilance, our project aims to deliver transformative impacts in NTD control, reducing the individual, social and economic burdens of resource poor rural populations.