21.11.2011
First global burden estimates for human food-borne trematodiasis
Scientists from the Swiss TPH have produced the first estimates of the global burden due to human foodborne trematode infections in terms of so-called disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). They performed a systematic review and meta-analysis and find that food-borne trematodiasis causes a global burden of 665,000 DALYs. The results of the study have been published as fast-track article in the journal «Lancet Infectious Diseases».
Human food-borne trematode infections are so-called zoonoses. Hence, these infectious diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans and from humans to animals. Human infections are transmitted via the ingestion of raw or undercooked aquatic food such as fish, mussels, crabs and water plants. Light infections are mostly asymptomatic, but heavy and chronic infections can cause severe complications, including the bile duct cancer cholangiocarcinoma, and even death. Most human infections occur in East and Southeast Asia, but the epidemiological situation in endemic areas is changing due to demographic, ecological and socio-economic transformations. Furthermore, the increasing importance of inland fish production, international trade, travel and migration resulted also in human infections in non-endemic areas such as Europe and North America.
Global burden
Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis, the scientists estimate that 56.2 million people were infected with food-borne trematodes worldwide in the year 2005. Approximately 7.9 million people were suffering from severe complications and 7’000 people died. The global burden is estimated at 665,000 DALYs. Besides this human burden, the parasites may also cause a substantial, but in the analysis not considered burden in farm animals and wildlife. Hence, the true societal impact of the parasites is certainly much greater.
Even though the presented estimates are likely to be only the tip of the iceberg, they confirm food-borne trematode infections as an emerging, but thus far neglected disease. The results call for new efforts to control and eventually eliminate food-borne trematode infections as well as other neglected tropical diseases.
Original research article
Thomas Fürst, Jennifer Keiser und Jürg Utzinger
Global burden of human food-borne trematodiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Lancet Infectious Diseases, Published online 21 November 2011, doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(11)70294-8.
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