Ndubani Rhoda, Lamberti Olimpia, Kildemoes Anna, Hoekstra Pytsje, Fitzpatrick Jennifer, Kelly Helen, Vwalika Bellington, Randrianasolo Bodo, Sturt Amy, Kayuni Seke, Choko Augustine, Kasese Nkatya, Kjetland Eyrun, Nemungadi Takalani, Mocumbi Sibone, Samson Anna, Ntapara Elizabeth, Thomson Anifrid, Danstan Elizabeth, Chikwari Chido Dziya, Martin Kevin, Rabiu Ibrahim, Terkie Gifty, Chaima David, Kasoka Manuel, Joeker Karoline, Arenholt Louise Thomsen Schmidt, Leutscher Peter, Stothard Russel, Rabozakandria Oliva, Gouvras Anouk, Munthali Tendai, Hameja Grace, Kanfwa Paul, Hikabasa Halwindi, Ayles Helen, Shanaube Kwame, Bustinduy Amaya L
Zambart School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia.
Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK.
Wellcome Open Res. 2025 Apr 11;9:360. doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.22429.1. eCollection 2024.
Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) and male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) are gender-specific manifestations of urogenital schistosomiasis. Morbidity is a consequence of prolonged inflammation in the human genital tract caused by the entrapped eggs of the waterborne parasite, Both diseases affect the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of millions of people globally, especially in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Awareness and knowledge of these diseases is largely absent among affected communities and healthcare workers in endemic countries. Accurate burden of FGS and MGS disease estimates, single and combined, are absent, mostly due to lack of awareness of both diseases and absence of standardized methods for individual or population-based screening and diagnosis. In addition, there are disparities in country-specific FGS and MGS knowledge, research and implementation approaches, and diagnosis and treatment. There are currently no WHO guidelines to inform practice. The BILGENSA (Genital Bilharzia in Southern Africa) Research Network aimed to create a collaborative multidisciplinary network to advance clinical research of FGS and MGS across Southern African endemic countries. The workshop was held in Lusaka, Zambia over two days in November 2022. Over 150 researchers and stakeholders from different schistosomiasis endemic settings attended. Attendees identified challenges and research priorities around FGS and MGS from their respective countries. Key research themes identified across settings included: 1) To increase the knowledge about the local burden of FGS and MGS; 2) To raise awareness among local communities and healthcare workers; 3) To develop effective and scalable guidelines for disease diagnosis and management; 4) To understand the effect of treatment interventions on disease progression, and 5) To integrate FGS and MGS within other existing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. In its first meeting, the BILGENSA Network set forth a common research agenda across countries for the control of FGS and MGS.
女性生殖器血吸虫病（FGS）和男性生殖器血吸虫病（MGS）是泌尿生殖系统血吸虫病的性别特异性表现。发病是由水生寄生虫的虫卵被困在人体生殖道中导致长期炎症的结果。这两种疾病影响着全球数百万人的性健康和生殖健康（SRH），尤其是在撒哈拉以南非洲（SSA）。在流行国家，受影响社区和医护人员对这些疾病的认识和了解基本不存在。目前缺乏FGS和MGS疾病的准确负担估计，无论是单独还是综合估计，主要原因是对这两种疾病缺乏认识，以及缺乏针对个体或基于人群的筛查和诊断的标准化方法。此外，在特定国家的FGS和MGS知识、研究和实施方法以及诊断和治疗方面存在差异。目前没有世界卫生组织的指南来指导实践。BILGENSA（南部非洲生殖器血吸虫病）研究网络旨在创建一个多学科合作网络，以推进南部非洲流行国家FGS和MGS的临床研究。该研讨会于2022年11月在赞比亚卢萨卡举行为期两天的会议。来自不同血吸虫病流行地区的150多名研究人员和利益相关者参加了会议。与会者从各自国家确定了围绕FGS和MGS的挑战和研究重点。在不同地区确定的关键研究主题包括：1）增加对FGS和MGS当地负担的了解；2）提高当地社区和医护人员的认识；3）制定有效且可扩展的疾病诊断和管理指南；4）了解治疗干预对疾病进展的影响；5）将FGS和MGS纳入其他现有的性健康和生殖健康（SRH）服务中。在其第一次会议上，BILGENSA网络提出了一项跨国家控制FGS和MGS的共同研究议程。
