@article{94844,
  keywords = {Covid-19, Praziquantel},
  author = {Oyeyemi OT and Okunlola OA and Adebayo AD},
  title = {Assessment of schistosomiasis endemicity and preventive treatment on coronavirus disease 2019 outcomes in Africa},
  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.},
  year = {2020},
  journal = {New Microbes and New Infections},
  pages = {100821},
  publisher = {Elsevier BV},
  issn = {2052-2975},
  url = {https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S2052297520301736?token=2800CAFFB5B98F719B2E5D15EDF2D3EE6E8AABEFC2C6D00AB0BDE2E7A689BE1066113DF77B746EBED8CF94E83B29F613},
  doi = {10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100821},
  language = {eng},
}