The IAFWP will host an International Symposium on Food and Waterborne Parasites on Wednesday, 6 September, 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during the 26th International Conference of the World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP). Additional details of the IAFWP Symposium will soon be available, including the program of invited speakers. IAFWP is partnering with WAAVP for registration and accommodations for the symposium and details will be posted here as well as on the WAAVP website.
Invited Speakers:
Pascal Boireau
Two new OIE Collaborating Centres in Europe and Asia to improve food safety and reduce the burden of food-borne zoonotic parasites
BIOGRAPHY 
ABSTRACT
Pascal Boireau
ANSES, EnvA, INRA, Animal Health Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France
Pascal Boireau is General Inspector in Public Health, ANSES, Animal Health Laboratory, (France), Visiting Professor, Jilin University (PR China), Doctor Honoris Causa, Bucharest University (Romania), with a PhD in Virology (Paris VII). After 8 years of working on animal viruses, he shifted to parasitology, attracted by the tiny intracellular worm, Trichinella. In 1998, P Boireau initiated the first joint research unit between three French institutes. He was coordinator for more than 10 international research grants with European, Mexican, Chinese partners, and published 100 international papers. Since 2002 P Boireau was successively Deputy Director of Animal Health Department (INRA) and Director of the Animal health Laboratory, ANSES.
Two new OIE Collaborating Centres in Europe and Asia to improve food safety and reduce the burden of food-borne zoonotic parasites
An increase of meat and sea food products consumption is expected over the next 20 years (OECD-FAO), particularly in developing countries where new food habits combined with a lack of knowledge of food-borne parasites and the related public health risks. The designation of two OIE-CC for Food-borne Zoonotic Parasites in June, 2014 proposed by Jilin University (PR China) and ANSES (France) for Asia-Pacific Region and European Region, respectively to address these emerging risks. These laboratories have the independent capabilities and skills to perform diagnostic tests for several food-borne parasites as prescribed by the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests. The two new OIE-CC benefit from over 20 years of robust cooperation between their respective institutes. These laboratories follow the recommendations described by FAO: Multicriteria-based ranking for risk management of neglected parasites transmitted by food (2012). The main goals of the OIE-CC include: 1) To provide scientific and technical expertise for detection of food-borne parasites in livestock, wildlife or animal products; 2) To implement direct or indirect diagnostic methods; 3) To participate in international standardization particularly in OIE, ISO, OECD, and the International Commission on Trichinellosis; 4) To establish reference material banks and propose ring trials; 5) To organize training within OIE Member Countries and participate in twinning programs to build new local competences; and, 6) To organize information for consumers through various media. The OIE-CC should also perform research in the field. The aim is to improve control strategies for food-borne parasites by understanding their interactions with the host and exploring their infectious potential. Within food-borne parasites, the OIE-CC focus research activities on those responsible for major zoonotic diseases such as Trichinella spp., Toxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis. These parasites have important impact on public health, and control strategies for most of them include specific regulations in many countries. Research at the OIE-CC is based on two strategic axes: 1) the study of host-parasite interactions aiming to either protect parasites’ hosts or define new therapeutic approaches; and, 2) develop innovative tools for the evaluation of parasite virulence or their detection in animals/environment for evaluation of risk factors in animal populations. The results of such research should facilitate new protocols for meat curing and harmonization of diagnostic methods. The twoOIE-CC also have a collaborative link with the first OIE-CC which is located at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Canada, and a new project in Africa is in progress to overlap with other OIE Regions. Food-borne zoonotic parasites are at the heart of the “One Health” concept as they are closely related to both animal health and food safety. Their management requires a global approach where the OIE-CC can be a leading actor.
Jong-Yil Chai
Foodborne Trematode Infections in Asia
BIOGRAPHY
ABSTRACT
Jong-Yil Chai
(e-mail: cjy@snu.ac.kr)Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jong-Yil Chai is Professor Emeritus of Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea and has been investigating diseases caused by foodborne intestinal parasites, including flukes, roundworms, tapeworms, and protozoans for over 40 years. He published 10 books, 30 book chapters, and 530 original research papers on parasites and parasitic diseases. He has been serving as the Editor of The Korean Journal of Parasitology since 2006. He is the Vice President of World Federation of Parasitologists since 2010. Since 2016, he is serving as the President of Korea Association of Health Promotion.
Foodborne Trematode Infections in Asia
Foodborne trematodes are diverse and can be classified largely into liver flukes, lung flukes, and intestinal flukes. Geographical distribution of these parasites is wide, and Asia is the most important endemic area among all continents. Zoonotic liver flukes in Asia include at least 6 species; Clonorchis sinensis, Opisthorchis viverrini, Metorchis orientalis, Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, and Dicrocoelium dendriticum. Zoonotic lung flukes in Asia include 4 species; Paragonimus westermani, P. heterotremus, P. skrjabini skrjabini, and P. skrjabini miyazakii. As to intestinal flukes, up to 46 zoonotic species are known. The largest group is heterophyid flukes (more than 17 species); the major genera are Haplorchis, Heterophyes, Metagonimus, Pygidiopsis, and Stellantchasmus. The next is echinostomes (more than 16 species); the major genera are Echinostoma, Echinochasmus, Isthmiophora, Hypoderaeum, Artyfechinostomum, Acanthoparyphium, and Echinoparyphium. Several other genera infecting humans include Gymnophalloides, Neodiplostomum, Plagiorchis, Phaneropsolus, and Prosthodendrium. The foodborne sources of human infection include fish, snail (including oyster), amphibia, reptile, and insect, and reservoir hosts are mammals or birds. The pathogenicity and clinical aspects of each parasite species and host defense mechanisms are poorly understood. The diagnosis of liver and intestinal flukes can be done by fecal examinations, whereas the diagnosis of lung flukes can be done by recovery of eggs in the sputum or serologically by ELISA. Praziquantel is an effective anthelmintic for use against these parasitic infections. Epidemiological surveys and detection of human cases should be continued for better understanding of these parasites and to provide control strategies.
Brecht Devleesschauwer
Estimates of the global and regional burden of foodborne parasites as determined by WHO
BIOGRAPHY
ABSTRACT
Brecht Devleesschauwer
Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Brussels, Belgium.
Brecht Devleesschauwer is a senior epidemiologist at the Scientific Institute of Public Health (WIV-ISP), Brussels, Belgium, and guest lecturer in health economic evaluations at the Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. He conducts policy-driven public health research in the domain of composite measures of population health and health inequalities. As a member of the World Health Organization Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (WHO/FERG), he contributed to the estimation of the global burden of foodborne disease. Brecht holds PhD degrees in Public Health and Veterinary Sciences, and MSc degrees in Biostatistics and Veterinary Medicine.
Estimates of the global and regional burden of foodborne parasites as determined by WHO
Parasitic diseases may result in high disease burdens, particularly in low and middle income countries, and are frequently transmitted to humans via contaminated food. Comparable information on the population health impact of foodborne parasites is crucial to inform and prioritize health policies and research funding, both at national and international levels. Recently, the World Health Organization launched the first-ever estimates of the global and regional burden of foodborne disease, including that of four protozoa (Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia spp., and Toxoplasma gondii) and ten helminths (including two nematodes: Ascaris spp., Trichinella spp.; three cestodes: Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Taenia solium; and five trematodes: Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciola spp., intestinal flukes, Opisthorchis spp., Paragonimus spp.). Data were abstracted from systematic reviews, disease databases, and reports from national surveillance systems; and used to estimate the number of infections, sequelae, deaths, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), by age and region for 2010. A Bayesian random effects model was used to impute data gaps, while expert elicitation was used to attribute disease burden to different exposure routes and food items. Together, the considered parasitic diseases caused more than 400 million illnesses, resulting in nearly 100 000 deaths and 12 million DALYs. Intestinal protozoa were responsible for nearly 90% of all illnesses, while helminths were responsible for the majority (60%) of all deaths and DALYs. Across all parasites, 22% of all illnesses, 55% of all deaths and 61% of all DALYs were estimated to be due to foodborne transmission. The highest numbers of foodborne deaths were due to Taenia solium, Echinococcus multilocularis, and Clonorchis sinensis; while the highest numbers of foodborne DALYs were due to Taenia solium, Paragonimus spp., and Toxoplasma gondii. The largest burden of foodborne parasitic disease occurred in the Western Pacific and African regions. These estimates represent an important step forward in understanding the true impact of foodborne diseases globally and regionally. Further efforts should focus on addressing key data gaps and on unraveling the burden of foodborne parasites not considered in the WHO study.
Yvonne A.L. Lim
Waterborne parasite transmission among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): An overview
BIOGRAPHY
ABSTRACT
Yvonne A.L. Lim
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Yvonne Ai-Lian Lim (PhD) is a professor at the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. She is currently the Deputy Dean (Research) of Faculty of Medicine. She was one of the pioneer researchers in the field of waterborne parasites (Cryptosporidium and Giardia) in Malaysia. She has conducted numerous studies on the occurrence of these parasites in rivers, lakes, wells, households, drinking water treatment plants and sewage water treatment plants in Malaysia as well as with collaborators in other Southeast Asian countries. She is the Past President of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM) and the recipient of the 2007 Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM) Medal for being an outstanding young scientist. In 2016, she was one of the recipients of the Top Research Scientists in Malaysia (TRSM) award. She has authored more than 100 original papers, written 7 book chapters and edited/authored 3 books including “Parasites and their vectors: A special focus on Southeast Asia” (Springer, 2013).
Waterborne parasite transmission among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): An overview
Most of the global outbreaks of waterborne parasitic protozoa have been reported in regions with established surveillance and reporting systems such as North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Given that only an estimated 1% of these outbreaks have occurred in Asia, it is evident that there is a paucity of information from this region where organised mechanisms of documentation of parasitic infections or waterborne outbreaks are lacking. This presentation attempts to provide an overview of the available epidemiological data and studies on waterborne occurrences among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which comprises of the ten member states (i.e., Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) with the aim of identifying some directions on how to progress.
Paul Monis
Risk-based management of drinking water safety in Australia: implementation of health based targets to determine water treatment...
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ABSTRACT
Paul Monis
South Australian Water Corporation, Adelaide, Australia.
Paul Monis is a senior research scientist at SA Water with a focus on providing better tools and information for assessing the risks to water quality and to support risk management / risk mitigation. Paul is an internationally recognised expert in the detection and genetic characterisation of protozoan parasites in water. Paul’s research interests include the application of molecular techniques to the detection of microbial contaminants in water, characterising the physical processes involved in the environmental inactivation of pathogens and laboratory and field-based evaluation of disinfection technologies for contaminant removal.
Risk-based management of drinking water safety in Australia: implementation of health based targets to determine water treatment requirements and identification of pathogen surrogates for validation of conventional filtration
In Australia, the safety of drinking water is ensured using a risk management framework embedded within the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG). This framework includes elements for hazard identification, risk assessment, risk mitigation, verification of barrier performance and monitoring for any changes to the hazards that influence source water quality. The next revision of the ADWG will incorporate Health Based Targets (HBTs) for achieving microbiologically safe drinking water. This incorporates Quantitative and Microbial Risk Assessment and the metric of Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) to define safety, with a target of 1 microDALY set as the maximum tolerable disease burden from drinking water, which in the case of Cryptosporidium is <1.3 x 10-5 oocysts / L. The resulting product water specification, in combination with knowledge of pathogen challenges in source waters, allows the determination of the treatment requirements to ensure public safety. The HBT manual provides default removal values for Cryptosporidium for particular treatment processes, such as conventional coagulation and dual media filtration. However, these values are based on assumptions regarding treatment plant design, operation and water quality. To properly manage risk and demonstrate compliance with the guidelines, water utilities need to be able to validate treatment performance for Cryptosporidium removal. A particular limitation is the absence of Cryptosporidium surrogates for full-scale filter validation. This presentation will provide an overview of risk-based management of drinking water safety in Australia, the development of health-based targets for microbial pathogens and the evaluation of Cryptosporidium surrogates conventional coagulation and dual media filtration.
Lihua Xiao
Molecular epidemiology of waterborne protozoan parasites of humans
BIOGRAPHY
ABSTRACT
Lihua Xiao
(e-mail: lxiao@cdc.gov)Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA.
Lihua Xiao received his veterinary education in China and his PhD and postdoctoral training in the United States. He joined the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1993, and is currently in the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. For the last 25 years, he has focused his research on the diagnosis, molecular epidemiology, and ecology of foodborne, waterborne, and zoonotic parasites. He has published over 400 original papers, invited reviews and book chapters.
Molecular epidemiology of waterborne protozoan parasites of humans
Molecular diagnostic tools have played an important role in improving our understandings of the transmission of waterborne protozoan parasites in humans. They are commonly used in the characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis, which are two most important waterborne parasites in industrialized nations. For these organisms, genotyping tools are frequently used in the identification of host-adapted Cryptosporidium species and G. duodenalis assemblages, allowing the assessment of infection sources in humans and public health potential of parasites found in animals and environment. In contrast, subtyping tools are more often used in case linkages, advanced tracking of infections sources, and assessment of disease burdens attributable to anthroponotic and zoonotic transmission. More recently, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) tools have been developed for human-pathogenic Cryptosporidium species and G. duodenalis genotypes. They offer higher resolution, thus are increasingly used in population genetic characterizations of transmission dynamics and delineation of mechanisms for the emergence of virulent subtypes. With recent development in next generation sequencing techniques, whole genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis are increasingly used in typing Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis. The use of these genotyping and subtyping tools in epidemiologic studies has identified significant differences in the transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. in humans between developing countries and industrialized nations, especially the role of zoonotic transmission in human infection. Geographic differences are also present in the proportion of giardiasis caused by G. duodenalis assemblages A and B, the two genotypes infecting humans. In contrast, there is little evidence for widespread zoonotic transmission of giardiasis in both developing and industrialized countries. Differences in virulence have been identified among Cryptosporidium species and subtypes, and possibly between G. duodenalis assemblages A and B, and genetic recombination has been identified as one mechanism for the emergence of virulent C. hominis subtypes. These recent advances are providing insight into the epidemiology of waterborne protozoan parasites in both developing and developed countries.