Hookworm Infections

Inaugural COP28 Health Day Commitment Advances New Guiding Principles for Financing Climate and Health Solutions, Launched Today DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rockefeller Foundation is announcing a USD 100 million commitment to address the health impacts of climate change. Joining 40 multilateral development banks, governments, philanthropies, and civil society organizations, the Foundation also endorsed the Guiding Principles for Financing Climate and Health Solutions, launched today at the World Climate Action Summit, to accelerate investments in and policy development on climate-health solutions that increase country ownership, accessibility, and long-term impact. Continue Reading From left to right Dr. Maria Neira, Irene Atuhairwe, Dr. Christos Christou, Mafalda Duerte, Rajiv Shah, Peter Sands - Leaders meet at the inaugural Health Day at COP28 "Health is the human face of climate change, and Health Day at COP28 is a historic moment for health and climate leaders to commit to advancing the well-being of the 3.3 billion people who are most vulnerable to climate change," said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. "With this commitment, the Foundation and our partners are rising to the occasion to help save lives and improve health outcomes in a warming world." Equitable Financing to Support Country Priorities The inaugural Health Day at COP28 marks a significant step in prioritizing the importance of climate and health on a global scale. The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to amplifying this impact through collaboration with its partners to increase the quantity and effectiveness of financing focused on supporting the efforts of low- and middle-income countries to mitigate, withstand, and respond to the escalating impacts of climate change on health. Though more than 90% of countries including health-focused priorities as part of their National Determined Contributions for climate mitigation and adaptation under the Paris Agreement, recent data suggests only 0.5% of climate financing is allocated toward health projects. Moreover, countries face a bevy of requirements – unique to each funder and imposed on them – when attempting to access funding. The newly released Guiding Principles for Financing Climate and Health Solutions seek to address this financing gap by establishing priorities for funding and policy to support the building of resilient and sustainable health systems. The Principles seek to ensure that countries gain increased access to climate-health financing that is responsive to their people's needs and priorities, especially the most vulnerable. The Republic of Malawi, for example, has endorsed these principles, and will drive climate and health financing accordingly in its Malawi Agenda 2063. The COP28 Presidency in partnership with The Green Climate Fund, the World Health Organization, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and The Rockefeller Foundation developed the Guiding Principles, which were informed by a convening hosted at The Rockefeller Foundation during the United Nations General Assembly. In addition to those partners, more than 50 organizations across climate, finance, health, government, and civil society sectors provided input. Along with the initiating organizations, fellow endorsers include: Adaptation Fund; Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention; The Africa Climate Foundation; African Development Bank Group; Amazon Conservation Team Columbia; Amref Health Africa; Asia Venture Philanthropy Network; Belmont Forum; Children's Investment Fund Foundation; Clara Lionel Foundation; Clean Air Fund; Clinton Health Access Initiative; Commonwealth Secretariat; COP28 Presidency; European Investment Bank; Foundation S - The Sanofi Collective; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; Global Climate and Health Alliance; Global Environment Facility; The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Government of the United Kingdom, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Green Climate Fund; Health Care Without Harm; Hivos; The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Institute of Philanthropy; IMPACT Europe; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; Kingdom of Norway, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; OECD Development Centre, Network of Foundations; Pandemic Action Network; PATH; Reaching the Last Mile; Republic of Malawi, Ministry of Health; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; The Rockefeller Foundation; Save the Children; Seed Global Health; UNICEF; Wellcome Trust; World Bank Group; and World Health Organization. Improving Health for All in a Warming World From its earliest days more than a century ago, The Rockefeller Foundation has sought to improve health outcomes for populations in need. Investments established the first schools of public health and the global campaign against hookworm; and seeded the development of the yellow fever vaccine. The Foundation has also supported translational research for tools ranging from penicillin to polio, helped create the field of molecular biology, spurred AIDS vaccine development, supported Covid-19 responses and pathogen surveillance, and catalyzed and accelerated action on Universal Health Coverage globally. The funding is part of The Rockefeller Foundation's recently announced 5-year Climate Strategy, announced in September, to mobilize USD 1 billion over the next five years to advance the global climate transition and help ensure everyone can participate in it. The USD 100 million climate-health investment will reimagine The Rockefeller Foundation's 110-year legacy in global health for the climate era, seeking to test and scale promising solutions through innovation, equitable financing, policy, and partnerships: Community-driven Innovation: The Foundation is deepening its commitment to health equity by ensuring that the voices and needs of the most vulnerable – women, children, indigenous people, displaced people – are reflected in global climate and health priorities and solutions. Sustainable Financing: The Foundation is working with global donors, development banks, country leaders, and diverse stakeholders to ensure that frontline communities get the financial assistance they need to adapt to climate change in line with the Guiding Principles. We're committed to shaping the market for climate-health investment to support transparent and equitable financing for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in low- and middle-income countries. Policy and Partnerships: As a convener and innovator, the Foundation helps merge the priorities of the private sector, government, and the non-profit sector to strengthen our collective response to climate change . Learnings and data from our investments will contribute to the evidence base about what solutions works to inform and drive action. "When it comes to building a livable future, we all have parts to play," said Naveen Rao, Senior Vice President of Health, The Rockefeller Foundation. "Across our commitments, we're developing and strengthening networks focused on reversing the climate crisis and safeguarding health for generations. We're grateful to Reaching the Last Mile, The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Institute of Philanthropy, and other emerging partners for taking up this cause and joining the collective effort." Statements of Support "Climate change is increasing health risks in every region of the world, including millions more people at risk of heat-related illness, food insecurity, infectious diseases, and poverty. A significant mobilization of financing is needed to combat these impacts, which to date have been under-recognized and under-funded. The COP28 Guiding Principles for Financing Climate and Health Solutions is the critical first step to address this, bringing new funders to the table in recognition of the urgent need. We are grateful for our partners stepping up to deliver finance where it is needed most." – Adnan Amin, CEO of COP28 "The impact of climate change on health is not in the distant future, it's here and now. Yet countries lack sufficient resources to adapt health systems for the challenges posed by this crisis. I commend The Rockefeller Foundation for addressing the harm happening today, for unlocking financing for stronger, more resilient health systems, and for making clear that supporting health is an investment, not a cost." – Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization "The Institute of Philanthropy (IoP), established and supported by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust, is committed to work at the intersection of climate and health. IoP shares The Rockefeller Foundation's vision for a climate future that mitigates and adapts to the impact of climate on health for the benefit of everyone, everywhere. Together with fellow funders in the East as well as globally, IoP will leverage its convening capabilities and financial resources to protect future generations from climate change through enhancing resilience and enabling adaptation." – Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges GBS JP, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club "I applaud The Rockefeller Foundation's commitment to addressing the Health impacts of climate change. This significant investment, along with the Guiding Principles for Financing Climate and Health Solutions, is pivotal in supporting Climate-Vulnerable countries as they shape Healthier and more Resilient futures. The Foundation's dedication to tailoring Climate-Health investments to align with the specific needs of countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the broader Global South will foster impactful and sustainable action to protect communities against the effects of climate change." – Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, MP - Minister of Health, Malawi. About The Rockefeller Foundation The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn. SOURCE The Rockefeller Foundation

Results data drawn from a subset of samples tested in KeyScreen® GI Parasite PCR's first 10 months shows widespread problem with parasites in dogs and cats FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., June 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Antech Diagnostics presented its largest molecular parasite study1 to date at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine's (ACVIM) Forum 2023. The first research abstract of two presented by Antech this year, studied a large subset of fecal samples - over 300,000 - from cats and dogs amassed in the first 10 months following KeyScreen® GI Parasite PCR's 2022 launch. As reported in the study1, molecular diagnostic testing revealed over a quarter of dogs and cats from the studied population were infected with parasites (1 in 4), which shows much more sensitive detection than conventional fecal testing (1 in 10). KeyScreen is the most advanced and comprehensive molecular diagnostic test, which can quickly detect 20 intestinal parasites in cats and dogs from a single 0.15 gram fecal sample, including markers for zoonotic Giardia and drug-resistant hookworm. Evidence showed 1 in 4 dogs and cats (over 25%) were infected with at least one parasite, and co-infections (two or more parasites found in a single fecal sample) were detected in 1 in 5 pets with parasites (over 20%). Among the dog samples that identified hookworm, 1 in 10 (over 11%) were found to have the marker for anthelmintic drug (benzimidazole)-resistance.1 In addition to uncovering a much higher frequency of parasite infection, further research also shows the parasite problem to be more widespread in North America– both geographically and across dog breeds - than previously believed. Research supports a growing body of KeyScreen data Another KeyScreen study into anthelmintic-resistant canine hookworms in North America had found that the problem is much more widespread across the US. 2 This new data shows that in North America, over 11% of detected canine hookworms were identified with the drug resistance marker 167Y. 1 In addition, the problem of hookworm resistance is now emerging in Canada. Treatment resistance hookworm markers have been found in more than 72 dog breeds, indicating that this is no longer just a problem in greyhounds. Drug-resistant hookworms are a problem North American veterinarians need to be aware of.3 Second ACVIM presentation highlights new drug resistance marker A second KeyScreen research study presented at ACVIM today, highlights how these drug-resistant parasites are rapidly adapting, through investigation of another recently discovered hookworm benzimidazole treatment resistance marker. 3,4 This new marker (134H) increased the detection of hookworm benzimidazole treatment resistance by 25% in dog hookworm detected samples (143) collected in Florida. The existing drug resistance marker 167Y was found in 31 samples, while the marker 134H was found in an additional 8, thereby increasing the rate of resistant strains by 25%. Because of Antech's agility, as of June 1, 2023, this second marker is now included in KeyScreen, providing additional practical – and the most advanced - information for veterinarians. KeyScreen's real-world impact KeyScreen is revolutionizing the field of routine veterinary parasite screening, by providing more detailed information on how parasites are adapting, emerging and spreading geographically. It is also highlighting One Health (the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health led by WHO, and in the US by the CDC) and pharmacological stewardship. In practice, KeyScreen is part of veterinary day-to-day routine wellness, and in line with evidence and expert-based recommendations from CAPC/CPEP, which helps create the most accurate parasite profile possible for every pet. And by doing so, veterinarians can provide the most efficient and effective care to protect the health of pets, their families and the broader community. Dr. Christian M. Leutenegger, Vice President of research and development at Antech and KeyScreen inventor who presented both abstracts at ACVIM Forum 2023 said: "Until recently, parasites have been adapting at a rate that has outpaced technology. KeyScreen is a significant advancement in veterinary diagnostics, providing a powerful tool to detect parasites in a way we have never been able to before. This innovation has important implications for GI parasite One Health and also, antimicrobial stewardship. DNA doesn't lie, it's either there or it's not – there is no subjectivity." Find out more about KeyScreen here: About KeyScreen KeyScreen™ GI Parasite PCR is the most comprehensive GI parasite screening solution for cats and dogs. It uses molecular technology (PCR) to quickly detect and amplify small segments of nuclei acid from parasites' DNA or RNA, providing actionable insights that enable veterinarians to better care for pets, protect people and the environment, and practice antimicrobial stewardship to help preserve parasiticides. KeyScreen can detect 20 intestinal parasites from a single, storable 0.15 gram fecal sample. It can uniquely detect markers for anthelmintic drug-resistant hookworm and potentially zoonotic Giardia in addition to co-infections, all of which influence treatment selection, helping veterinarians uphold pharmacological stewardship and One Health principles. KeyScreen delivers a full report, along with other core diagnostic results, in just 24-48 hours, saving you time in clinic and providing a level of precision that's impossible to achieve with traditional O&P and ELISA methods. By making advanced molecular parasite screening practical for routine wellness exams, KeyScreen provides veterinarians with a faster, more accurate path to positively impact the health of pets, people, and the broader community. About Antech At the heart of Antech is our love for pets and our desire to see them live longer, healthier lives. Through superior diagnostic testing delivered with a flexible, can-do spirit, we endeavor to treat every sample as if it belongs to our own pet. Our innovative diagnostics, accessible through North America's largest reference laboratory network, span world-class imaging equipment, and services, advanced molecular and predictive diagnostic testing, and core diagnostics with gold-standard accuracy. 24x7 access to the most accomplished team of board-certified pathologists, medical consultants across 14 specialty areas, and industry-leading education round out our support for today's high-performance practices. Antech is helping to drive the future of veterinary care as part of Mars Petcare, a purpose-driven global business serving pets and pet owners through products and services within veterinary health and diagnostics, nutrition, innovation, and technology. Visit us at antechdiagnostics.com. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. References Christian M Leutenegger, et al. Frequency of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats identified by molecular diagnostics. ACVIM abstract 2023. Christian M Leutenegger, et al. Emergence of Acylostoma caninum parasites with the F167Y polymorphism in the US dog population. 2023. Int, J. Parasitol. Drugs Drug Resist. 21, 131-140. Christian M Leutenegger, et al. Associated of the novel benzimidazole resistance marker Q134H with F167Y in dogs with Ancylostoma caninum. ACVIM abstract 2023. Abhinaya Venkatesan, et al. Molecular evidence of widespread benzimidazole drug resistance in Ancylostoma caninum from domestic dogs throughout the USA and discovery of a novel β-tubulin benzimidazole resistance mutation. 2023. PLoS Pathog. Mar 2;19(3):e1011146. Logo - SOURCE Antech Diagnostics

Neglected by government officials and medical professionals, parasitic infections can lead to lifelong health consequences, according to a biological anthropologist. Most Americans view parasitic infections as a problem of the past or one that only impacts low-income countries. However, new research from Washington University in St. Louis finds evidence that the problem is likely widespread in low-resource communities throughout southern United States where environmental conditions combined with infrastructural neglect and inadequate access to health care create the perfect breeding ground for these infections. In a small, preliminary study published on March 2 in American Journal of Human Biology, 38% of children sampled from a rural Mississippi Delta community were found to have either parasitic worms or protist infections -- a single-cell parasitic organisms that can negatively impact intestinal health. Parasitic infections are a neglected health issue in low-resource communities, according to Theresa Gildner, study co-author and assistant professor of biological anthropology in Arts & Sciences at WashU. School-age children are especially at risk for these infections due to increased exposure through play, poor hand hygiene and their still-developing immune systems. Left untreated, the infections can lead to nutritional deficiencies and lifelong health consequences. Gildner said many of the community members they worked with during this project expressed frustration with state and federal governments that do not listen to their concerns related to these issues. "This is a failure of all levels of government to provide basic services to vulnerable citizens. Health conditions -- including parasitic and intestinal infections -- linked with poor sanitation will likely worsen in coming years as climate change and associated extreme weather events further strain already weak infrastructure systems," said Gildner, an expert on parasitic disease and health disparities. According to Gildner, President Biden's infrastructure bill is a step in the right direction, but more work is needed in the near future to invest in crumbling infrastructure. "I do not know if President Biden's infrastructure bill will directly help the communities where we have worked -- we haven't heard anything from our community partners -- but I think there could be indirect benefits. For instance, drawing more attention to the immediate need for investment in failing infrastructure may lead to more localized projects that benefit these communities," she said. But any efforts to address these infrastructure needs should start with direct and respectful community engagement by locally elected officials. After all, she said, "Individuals living in these communities have the best sense of what the issues are through their lived experiences and may have ideas for what is most needed to improve conditions in their specific community." This is a failure of all levels of government to provide basic services to vulnerable citizens. Health conditions -- including parasitic and intestinal infections -- linked with poor sanitation will likely worsen in coming years as climate change and associated extreme weather events further strain already weak infrastructure systems. About the research Understanding U.S. infection patterns -- including the current extent of parasitic infections and key sources of exposure -- is critical to improving health outcomes, Gildner said. Previous studies in the U.S. have been case-based or focused exclusively on immigrant populations. Very few surveys have been conducted in regions with the most risk factors for exposure. In the summer of 2019, members of the Rural Embodiment and Community Health (REACH) research team -- led by Gildner and Tara J. Cepon-Robins, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), and including WashU biologist Elizabeth K. Mallott and former UCCS undergraduate student Isabella C. Recca -- traveled to the rural Mississippi Delta to conduct preliminary research in the community. They chose to direct their focus on a small, predominantly Black, rural community that is frequently affected by flooding and sewage backups due to community-reported infrastructural neglect. In total, 24 children -- including 12 boys and 12 girls ranging in age from infant to 14 years old -- from 12 households participated in the study. Altogether, 38% of the children were found to have one or both types of parasitic infections. Contrary to expectations, they found no significant differences in infection status based on age, sex or household size, although Gildner acknowledges that could be due to the relatively small sample size. She hopes ongoing research with a larger dataset will allow the team to better test these patterns in the near future. Last summer, the team collected additional samples from adults and in the same Mississippi community, as well as in East St. Louis in a community facing similar issues related to failing infrastructure, persistent flooding and sewage backups, Gildner said. The team also is analyzing soil samples collected from various shared community spaces during the 2022 trip to better examine these patterns. And plans are underway to collect additional data in other Mississippi Delta communities this summer. Education is key Lack of education is one of the reasons why parasitic infections often go undetected. "One interesting thing that we noticed during our 2019 visit to Mississippi is that some of the grandparents we spoke to were aware of the threat posed by parasite infections locally because they had heard of these issues as children," Gildner said. "One grandparent told us they remembered public health educational programs that discussed the risks posed by hookworm infection and encouraged community members to wear shoes outdoors to prevent infection. "However, that messaging stopped after their early childhood and they had always wondered why no one talked about these infections anymore. This kind of messaging could be relatively straightforward to implement, although basic information on key parasite infections would have to be provided since many people are no longer aware of these diseases." Even health care providers often assume that parasitic infection risk is greatest for Americans traveling abroad. Educating health care providers about the threat posed by parasitic infections in the U.S., how to recognize symptoms and test appropriately is key. "Without this basic medical knowledge, diagnoses may be missed and treatment delayed," Gildner said. "For instance, one participant this past summer had been diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium we have recently started studying that can cause stomach ulcers and certain gastric cancers in severe cases. However, she told us it took months and visits to multiple doctors before she was properly tested and diagnosed, in large part due to the assumption that symptomatic cases of this bacterial infection aren't a significant concern in the U.S." Although it is an option for regions suffering from heavy parasitic infection rates, preventative mass drug administration is not a practical first step to addressing the problem, Gildner explained. There's not enough public awareness of the conditions and the safe effective drugs used to treat common parasite infections are incredibly expensive in the U.S., she said. However, Gildner would like to see more government investment in research at other locations across the U.S. to help clarify the current extent of parasite infections and identify key sources of exposure that could be targeted to improve health outcomes.