Research

Schistosoma japonicum, the most aggressive schistosome species, is a zoonotic parasite that poses a major health risk in China, the Philippines, and Indonesia with over 2.5 million people and several hundred thousand livestock infected. Despite mass drug administration campaigns in holoendemic regions to treat and block the transmission of the zoonotic parasitosis, the eradication of schistosomiasis japonica has not been possible due to the persistence of low prevalence in these endemic regions.

The focus of Ms. Ruiz' work is to identify putative candidates for the development of a vaccine against both human and bovine schistosomiasis. Since acquired protective immunity to Schistosoma japonicum is mediated by high anti-adult worm IgG and IgE titers, Ms. Ruiz’ work posits that S. japonicum antigens recognized by IgE and IgG immunoglobulins in the sera of resistant individuals from holoendemic regions will inform the development of effective vaccine candidates. To identify vaccine candidates, Ms. Ruiz uses the whole proteome differential screening method, previously described by the Kurtis lab, to discern schistosome antigens recognized by IgE or IgG antibodies expressed by resistant, but not susceptible, individuals. The crux of her work is the necessity of a vaccine to accelerate the elimination of both humans and buffalo schistosomiasis and, ultimately, ameliorate health disparities and economic stagnation in areas where schistosomiasis japonica is endemic.