Every year, millions of people die of the consequences of tropical diseases. In many cases, however, a severe progression of the diseases would be avoidable. THWS is collaborating with the German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Relief Association (DAHW) to carry out a research project in Togo. The objective: Using geodata to examine the spread of neglected tropical diseases.
Published on 2 August 2023
River blindness, leprosy, sleeping sickness, or dengue fever: About 1.7 billion people around the world suffer from so-called neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Without medical treatment, the tropical diseases can cause permanent impairments, physical disabilities, or death. Outbreaks are particularly common in areas of the Global South.
Cooperative project of DAHW and THWS in Togo
For years, the DAHW has been committed to fighting neglected tropical diseases. In order to reduce the spreading of diseases, the organisation has invested in medical treatment and research. In an ongoing research project with the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), a research team is supposed to examine the distribution of the three NTDs leprosy, Buruli ulcer and yaws in Togo using geodata.
At THWS, the project is led by Professor Dr. Mark Vetter, Professor of Geovisualisation. As one of the initiators of the cooperative project, the geologist collects and processes the data together with his students. The DAHW has been active in Togo for some time now, and has an office in the capital Lomé. The West African country is among the poorest in the world, and has suffered from conflicts, armed conflicts, and terrorism. In addition to Buruli Ulcer, leprosy is the prevalent disease in Togo.
Inadequate health services
That there are infections again and again in regions like the country Togo, was not unusual, Professor Dr. Vetter explains. "Often, the diseases occur in the poorest and remotest regions of the world, in which it is difficult to find and diagnose infected people." Many of the infected people would not get adequate medical treatment. Exactly that was the problem, says Vetter. Many of the NTDs can be treated with medicine and some of the diseases are even considered curable. As is the case with leprosy: Not only is the disease considered curable, but it can also be prevented through prophylaxis. However, around 250,000 people around the word got infected with the disease every year. "It's not the diseases that are neglected, it's the people who are neglected", Vetter concludes. It would thus be essential to reduce the spreading of the disease and to protect the people.
Geodata as key for analysing leprosy, Buruli ulcer and yaws
The research project of DAHW and THWS draws on exactly this. "First, the disease locations are collected in a geographic information system to analyse spatial contexts and patterns of outbreak", Vetter says. The findings then act as the basis for further campaigns on curing and the implementation of protective measures. In Togo, also data of infected people is currently being collected to track movements and migration of diseases. This gives scientists the chance to identify and protect persons potentially at risk. "If an infected person has for example changed their place of residence, and we put this information into our database, we can estimate where new infections might occur", Vetter explains.
The data enables the THWS research team to create thematic maps. These maps show the cases of infections of the last ten years and can thus help to create targeted measures. The project does not only consist of data collection, but another part was to help people in their country, Vetter says. "With leprosy for example, there is the opportunity to use a prophylaxis to protect people in risk of infection."
Data collection challenges
Collecting geodata in Togo comes with some challenges. With leprosy in particular, infected people often spread the pathogen before realising their infection. This in combination with a long incubation period of up to 20 years makes it difficult to diagnose a leprosy infection before the disease breaks out. To still get substantive data, and provided infected people with medical care, the research team around Professor Dr. Vetter relies upon on-site experts of the DAHW.
In mobile dermatology clinics, so-called skin camps, the villagers are examined for potential skin diseases and get medical treatment, explains Dr. Christa Kasang, research coordinator of the DAHW. "Earlier diagnoses would result in greater chances of recovery, and consequences like permanent impairments or disabilities would not arise at all", Kasang says. This problem was especially severe in the north of the country, that was characterised by poverty and weak socio-economic structures. Access to healthcare was particularly limited there.
THWS students involved in the project through final theses
Also students of the THWS bachelor's degree programme Geovisualisation and of the master's programme Geodata Technology are involved in the research project in Togo. Within the framework of their final theses, the students travel to Togo to stay there for a few months. Already four students have been there. One of them was Niklas Weiß. The master's student was in Togo from February to April 2023. "It is difficult to write about a country where you have never been", Weiß says. He thus gladly accepted the opportunity to travel to Togo for his master's thesis. As part of his final thesis, the student examines the accessibility of healthcare facilities in Togo. "My work builds upon the data that has already been collected on the distribution of infections, and serves as extended analysis, Weiß explains.
Niklas Weiß's work could act as basis for an improved infrastructure of local healthcare facilities. "It is fun seeing that the students make their own experiences and can also help the population in Togo at the same time", Vetter says. But you must still be realistic: "The country does not have the power to fight these diseases by itself", Vetter emphasises. That is why THWS aims to build knowledge and pass it on. The long-term goal of the research project: educating locals so that they will be able to collect data, create maps – and especially to draw the right conclusions from the findings.
Leprosy
- Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae
- It predominantly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, and the mucous membranes and the mucous membranes of the eye
- Leprosy causes skin lesions, numbness, muscle weakness and can cause deformities and disabilities
Buruli ulcer
- Buruli ulcer is a bacterial skin disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans
- It leads to destructive skin lesions that often leave deep ulcers, and if left untreated, can cause permanent scaring and disabilities
Yaws
- Yaws, also known as framboesia tropics, is an infectious disease that is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum pertenue
- It mainly affects the skin, lymph nodes, and bones and is passed on through direct skin contact or mutual use of objects
- Yaws causes painful ulcers and knot formation at the affected areas
