RTG 3096 | One Health Approach for Soil-Transmitted Helminths
Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are parasitic worms which affect humans, animals and the environment alike. They are among the most common infections worldwide: 24% of the world‘s population suffers from STH and the infections are also highly prevalent in farm animals, where it is a re-emerging disease. Further, the environment is affected by accumulated soil contamination with helminth eggs and massive socioeconomic implications for affected populations.
The extremely harmful consequences of STH infections are in stark contrast to the low scientific and social awareness of these infections and the lack of training for future researchers in this field. GRK 3096 aims to close this training gap by educating the next generation of helminthologists in a One Health approach that addresses soil-transmitted helminths in humans, animals, and the environment.
Within the three One Health areas “humans, animals and the environment” our RTG has defined research gaps on which the research projects will focus on. These are:
- Clinical consequences of STH infections for infected humans & animals.
- Identification of infection mechanisms of STH in humans and animals to identify new intervention targets.
- Targeting environmental issues of STH in humans and animals to enable better public health interventions
