FGS: Translational Challenges and Opportunities’ – outputs and actions from a consultative, collaborative and translational workshop

23 Jun 2025
Peter S. Wasson, Maia Kavanagh Williamson, Amelia Hallas-Potts, Benjamin Lopez-Jimena, Magdalena Koscielniak, Steven Tait, Margaret Gyapong, Olimpia Lamberti, Rhoda Ndubani, Ashley Preston, Janelisa Musaya, Sekeleghe A Kayuni, Dingase Kumwenda, Lisette van Lieshout, Bonnie L. Webster, Jennifer A. Downs, Amy Sturt, Sabine Specht, Morgan E. Lemin, Elizabeth F. Long, Eyrun F. Kjetland, Bodo S. Randrianasolo, J. Russell Stothard, Anouk Gouvras, David Rollinson, W. Evan Secor, Kwame Shanaube, Amaya L. Bustinduy

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is a chronic disease manifestation of the waterborne parasitic infection Schistosoma haematobium that affects up to 56 million women and girls, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. Starting from early childhood, this stigmatizing gynaecological condition is caused by the presence of Schistosoma eggs and associated toxins within the genital tract. Schistosoma haematobium typically causes debilitating urogenital symptoms, mostly as a consequence of inflammation, which includes bleeding, discharge and lower abdominal pelvic pain. Chronic complications of FGS include adverse sexual and reproductive health and rights outcomes such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. FGS is associated with prevalent human immunodeficiency virus and may increase the susceptibility of women to high-risk human papillomavirus infection.

Across SSA, and even in clinics outside endemic areas, the lack of awareness and available resources among both healthcare professionals and the public means FGS is underreported, misdiagnosed and inadequately treated. Several studies have highlighted research needs and priorities in FGS, including better training, accessible and accurate diagnostic tools, and treatment guidelines. On 6 September, 2024, LifeArc, the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance and partners from the BILGENSA Research Network (Genital Bilharzia in Southern Africa) convened a consultative, collaborative and translational workshop: ‘Female Genital Schistosomiasis: Translational Challenges and Opportunities’. Its ambition was to identify practical solutions that could address these research needs and drive appropriate actions towards progress in tackling FGS. Here, we present the outcomes of that workshop – a series of discrete translational actions to better galvanize the community and research funders.

Read the full article in CUP Parasitology

Female Genital Schistosomiasis Research