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Modelling the ecological niche of hookworm in Brazil based on climate

Mudenda, N. B. and Malone, J. B. and Kearney, M. T. and Mischler, P. D. and del Mar Nieto, P. and McCarroll, J. C. and Vounatsou, P.. (2012) Modelling the ecological niche of hookworm in Brazil based on climate. Geospatial health, 6 (3). pp. 111-123.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6094284

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Abstract

The distribution of hookworm in schistosomiasis-endemic areas in Brazil was mapped based on climate suitability. Known biological requirements of hookworm were fitted to data in a monthly long-term normal climate grid (18 x 18 km) using geographical information systems. Hookworm risk models were produced using the growing degree day (GDD) water budget (WB) concept. A moisture-adjusted model (MA-GDD) was developed based on accumulation of monthly temperatures above a base temperature of 15 °C (below which there is no lifecycle progression of Necator americanus) conditional on concurrent monthly values (rain/potential, evapotranspiration) of over 0.4. A second model, designated the gradient index, was calculated based on the monthly accumulation of the product of GDD and monthly WB values (GDD x WB). Both parameters had a significant positive correlation to hookworm prevalence. In the northeastern part of Brazil (the Caatinga), low hookworm prevalence was due to low soil moisture content, while the low prevalence in southern Brazil was related to low mean monthly temperatures. Both environmental temperature and soil moisture content were found to be important parameters for predicting the prevalence of N. americanus.
Faculties and Departments:09 Associated Institutions > Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) > Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH) > Biostatistics
UniBasel Contributors:Vounatsou, Penelope
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:GNOSIS
ISSN:1827-1987
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Language:English
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Last Modified:13 Oct 2017 08:00
Deposited On:24 May 2013 09:20

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