Epidemiology of polyparasitism with schistosomes, Taenia solium and soil-transmitted helminths in co-endemic settings of the Democratic Republic of Congo

This thesis presents results of parasitological studies conducted in rural areas of western DRC. Findings indicate that single and co-infections with soil-transmitted helminths, schistosomes and taeniasis/cysticercosis are common and are heterogeneously distributed in space and within host populations. Co-endemicity of these helminth infections, similarities in age profiles and existence of shared risk factors between single and co-infections are suggestive of an integrated control approach. However, the use of praziquantel in an area potentially endemic for neurocysticercosis calls for more caution given the risk of severe neurological side effects. This thesis also shows that mixed Schistosoma infections alter the efficacy of single praziquantel treatment on S. haematobium though this short term effect disappears after cumulative treatments. All these findings can be useful to the design of an integrated control programme targeting many helminth infections at once