Research gaps for three main tropical diseases in the People’s Republic of China

Abstract

This scoping review analyzes the research gaps of three diseases: schistosomiasis japonica, malaria and echinococcosis. Based on available data in the P.R. China, we highlight the gaps between control capacity and prevalence levels, and between diagnostic/drug development and population need for treatment at different stages of the national control programme. After reviewing the literature from 848 original studies and consultations with experts in the field, the gaps were identified as follows. Firstly, the malaria research gaps include (i) deficiency of active testing in the public community and no appropriate technique to evaluate elimination, (ii) lack of sensitive diagnostic tools for asymptomatic patients, (iii) lack of safe drugs for mass administration. Secondly, gaps in research of schistosomiasis include (i) incongruent policy in the implementation of integrated control strategy for schistosomiasis, (ii) lack of effective tools for Oncomelania sp. snail control, (iii) lack of a more sensitive and cheaper diagnostic test for large population samples, (iv) lack of new drugs in addition to praziquantel. Thirdly, gaps in research of echinococcosis include (i) low capacity in field epidemiology studies, (ii) lack of sanitation improvement studies in epidemic areas, (iii) lack of a sensitivity test for early diagnosis, (iv) lack of more effective drugs for short-term treatment. We believe these three diseases can eventually be eliminated in mainland China if all the research gaps are abridged in a short period of time.

Domestic trends in malaria research and development in China and its global influence

“…Routine monitoring and surveillance, as recommended by the WHO Global Plan for Artemisinin Resistance Containment, should be strengthened [34]. Unfortunately, this study shows that artemisinin-based drugs are still the main focus for researchers in China [35]. Concerns have been raised about the sustainability of R&D on antimalarial drugs, especially in a post-artemisinin world.…”

Elimination of malaria due to Plasmodium vivax in central part of the People’s Republic of China: analysis and prediction based on modelling

“…Firstly, management improvements are required in counties at risk, as discussed by Musa et al (2012). Secondly, strengthened monitoring of local malaria hotspots is pivotal (Zheng et al, 2013). Thirdly, implementation of real-time surveillance and effective response system targeting vulnerable environments and populations must be explosed .…”

“…Good results were achieved and the progress has been followed up by the Action Plan of the China Malaria Elimination (APCME) taking over in 2010 with the explicit aim of malaria elimination. The process was accelerated by shifting the control approach from "reduce incidence in the highly endemic areas" to "block malaria transmission in each epidemic unit" (Yin et al, 2013;Zheng et al, 2013). The endemic counties were classified into four types based on the local malaria incidence in the period of [2006][2007][2008].…”

Value of a novel diagnostics of rSP13-ELISA toward schistosomiasis elimination in China

“…The National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China (2004-2015) was issued by Ministry of Health in 2004, with the aim of reducing the prevalence of schistosome infection in all endemic counties down to <5% by the end of 2008, and further down to 1% by the end of 2015 [6]. The success of this program and finally elimination of schistosomiasis in China hinges on the availability of sensitive, simple and affordable diagnostics to be used easily by staff at country level.…”