Name (qualifications):                                  DZIEDZOM KOMI DE SOUZA (PhD)

Research Area Strengths: Lymphatic filariasis, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Medical Entomology, Vector-borne diseases

Email(s): ddesouza@noguchi.ug.edu.gh ; desdok@gmail.com

Research Group(s): Neglected Tropical diseases, Vector Research

Ongoing Research

Project title: Dust  Bunny:  Understanding  the  home  as  a  source  of  infection  of  AMR  bacteria  carried  by  dust,  by  exploring  hygiene  practices  across  different  home  environments  in  Ghana.

Amount:  £ 247,454.16

Agency: Arts and Humanities Research Council

Date: November 2017 – November 2018

Role: Co-Investigator

Project title: Determination  of  the  prevalence  of  LF  infection  in  districts  not  included  in  LF  control activities  and  of  the  basis  for  integrated  implementation  of  LF  -  onchocerciasis  elimination  strategies  in  potentially  co-endemic  areas  

Agency: WHO/TDR, Taskforce for Global Health, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Amount: $ 138,561.75

Date: September 2017 - August 2018

Role: Co-investigator

Project title: Cluster-randomized community-based trial of annual versus biannual single-dose 

ivermectin  plus  albendazole  against  Wuchereria  bancrofti  infection  in  human  and  mosquito populations  

Agency: European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnerships

Amount: 149,980.00 Euros

Date: March 2017 – February 2020

Role: PI

Affiliated Departments/Institutions:

• Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana.

Professional Organizations:

2018 – 2023: African Academy of Science Affiliate

2017 – Current: African Research Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases

2013 – Current: Royal  Society  of  Tropical  Medicine  and  Hygiene

2010 – Current: American  Society  for  Tropical  Medicine  and  Hygiene 

Research Interests

My interests are primarily in the molecular biology of disease vectors and parasites, with a focus on Neglected Tropical Diseases, specifically Lymphatic Filariasis. Currently, my main research focus involves assessing the transmission and control of Lymphatic Filariasis. I have led study investigations, and have been involved in providing training, diagnostics, monitoring and evaluation support to countries in Africa including, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Togo and Ethiopia.

My other research interests include malaria and Buruli ulcer transmission and diagnosis.

Keywords:

• Lymphatic Filariasis
• Neglected Tropical Diseases
• Medical entomology
• Vector-borne diseases

Key/Notable Publications (selected out of 60 peer-reviewed manuscripts)

1. Chabi J, Van't Hof A, N'Dri L K, Datsomor A, Okyere D, Njoroge H, Pipini D, Hadi MP, de Souza DK, Suzuki T, Dadzie SK Jamet HP (2019). Rapid high throughput SYBR green assay for identifying the malaria vectors Anopheles arabiensis, Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae s.s. Giles. PLoS One 14(4): e0215669. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0215669
2. Tsekleves E, Darby A, Ahorlu C, de Souza D, Pickup R, Boakye D (2019). Combining design research with microbiology to tackle drug-resistant infections in different home environments in Ghana: Challenging the boundaries of design thinking. Running with Scissors, 13th EAD Conference University of Dundee, 10-12 April 2019.
3. Pi-Bansa S, Osei JHN, Kartey-Attipoe WD, Elhassan E, Agyemang D, Otoo S, Dadzie SK, Appawu MA, Wilson MD, Koudou BG, de Souza DK, Utzinger J and Boakye DA (2019). Assessing the Presence of Wuchereria bancrofti Infections in Vectors Using Xenomonitoring in Lymphatic Filariasis Endemic Districts in Ghana. Trop Med Infect Dis 4(1): 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed4010049
4. Boakye DA, Frempong KK, Ogoussan KT, Otoo S, Rebollo Pollo M, Dadzie SK, de Souza DK (2019). Implementing a community vector collection strategy for monitoring vector-borne diseases in Ghana. Gates Open Research 3:722 https://doi.org/10.12688/gatesopenres.12933.1
5. Pi-Bansa S, Osei JHN, Frempong KK, Elhassan E, Akuoko OK, Agyemang D, Ahorlu C, Appawu MA, Koudou BG, Wilson MD, de Souza DK, Dadzie SK, Utzinger J and Boakye DA (2019). Potential factors influencing lymphatic filariasis transmission in "hotspot" and "control" areas in Ghana: the importance of vectors. Infect Dis Poverty 8(1): 9.
6. Pi-Bansa S, Osei JHN, Joannides J, Woode ME, Agyemang D, Elhassan E, Dadzie SK, Appawu MA, Wilson MD, Koudou BG, de Souza DK, Utzinger J, Boakye DA (2018). Implementing a community vector collection strategy using xenomonitoring for the endgame of lymphatic filariasis elimination. Parasites & Vectors 11:672. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3260-3
7. Senyonjo LG, Debrah O, Martin DL, Asante-Poku A, Migchelsen SJ, Gwyn S, de Souza DK, Solomon AW, Agyemang D, Biritwum-Kwadwo N, Marfo B8, Bakajika D, Mensah EO, Aboe A, Koroma J, Addy J, Bailey R (2018). Serological and PCR-based markers of ocular Chlamydia trachomatis transmission in northern Ghana after elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 12(12): e0007027. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007027
8. de Souza DK, Otchere J, Ahorlu CS, Adu-Amankwah S, Larbi IA, Dumashie E, McCarthy FA, King SA, Otoo S, Osabutey D, Osei JHN, Sedzro KM, Asiedu O, Dadzie SK, Ayi I, Marfo B, Biritwum N-K, Boakye DA (2018). Low Microfilaremia Levels in Three Districts in Coastal Ghana with at Least 16 Years of Mass Drug Administration and Persistent Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis. Trop Med Infect Dis. 3:105. https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed3040105
9. de Souza DK, Dorlo TPC (2018). Safe mass drug administration for neglected tropical diseases. Lancet Glob Health. 6(10):e1054-e1055. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30415-7.
10. de Souza DK, Larbi I, Boakye DA, Okebe J (2018). Ivermectin treatment in humans for reducing malaria transmission. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 9. Art. No.: CD013117. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013117.
11. Agbozo EY, Dumashie E, Boakye DA, de Souza DK (2018). Effects of lyophilization and storage temperature on Wuchereria bancrofti antigen sensitivity and stability. BMC Research Notes 11: 454. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3586-0
12. Opoku M, Minetti C, Kartey-Attipoe WD, Otoo S, Otchere J, Gomes B, de Souza DK, Reimer LJ (2018). An assessment of mosquito collection techniques for xenomonitoring of anopheline-transmitted Lymphatic Filariasis in Ghana. Parasitology 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182018000938
13. Ahorlu, CS, Koka E, Adu-Amankwah S, Otchere J, de Souza DK. (2018) Community perspectives on persistent transmission of lymphatic filariasis in three hotspot districts in Ghana after 15 rounds of mass drug administration: a qualitative assessment. BMC Public Health 18:238. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5157-7
14. Koudou BG, de Souza DK, N-K Biritwum, R Bougma, M Aboulaye, E Elhassan, S Bush, DH Molyneux. (2018) Elimination of lymphatic filariasis in West African cities: is implementation of mass drug administration a necessity to reach this goal? Lancet Infect Dis 1473-3099(18):30069-0. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(18)30069-0
15. Dorkenoo MA, de Souza DK, Apetogbo Y, Oboussoumi K, Yehadji D, Tchalim M, Etassoli S, Koudou B, Ketoh GK, Sodahlon Y, Bockarie MJ, Boakye DA (2018). Molecular xenomonitoring for post-validation surveillance of Lymphatic Filariasis in Togo: no evidence for active transmission. Parasites and Vectors 11:52 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-017-2611-9 
16. Debrah O, Mensah EO, Senyonjo L, de Souza DK, Hervie TE, Agyemang D, Bakajika D, Marfo B, Ahorsu F, Wanye S, Bailey R, Koroma JB, Aboe A, N-K Biritwum (2017). Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Ghana: providing evidence through a pre-validation survey. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 11(12): e0006099. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006099
17. Pam DD, de Souza DK, Walker S., Opoku M, Sanda S, Nazaradeen I, Anagbogu IN, Okoronkwo C, Davies E, Elhassan E, Molyneux D, Bockarie MJ, Koudou BG (2017). Is mass drug administration against lymphatic filariasis required in urban settings? The experience in Kano, Nigeria. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 11(10): e0006004. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006004
18. de Souza DK, Ahorlu CS, Adu-Amankwah S, Otchere J, Mensah SK, Larbi IA, Mensah GE, Biritwum, Boakye DA (2017). Community-based trial of annual versus biannual single-dose Ivermectin plus Albendazole against Wuchereria bancrofti infection in human and mosquito populations: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. Trials 18: 448. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-017-2196-9  

19. Kanamitie JN, Ahorlu CS, Otchere J, Aboagye-Antwi F, Kwansa-Bentum B, Boakye DA, Biritwum N-K, Wilson MD, de Souza DK (2017). A twelve months longitudinal parasitological assessment of lymphatic filariasis positive individuals: the impact of a bi-annual treatment with Ivermectin and Albendazole. Trop. Med. Int. Health. 22(11): 1451-1456. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/tmi.12974/pdf

1. King SA, Onayifeke B, Akorli J, Sibomana I, Chabi J, Manful-Gwira T, Dadzie S, Suzuki T, Wilson MD, Boakye DA, de Souza DK (2017). The role of detoxification enzymes in the adaptation of the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae to polluted water. J. Med. Ent 54(6):1674–1683. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjx164

21. de Souza DK, Offei Owusu I, Otchere J, Adimazoya M, Frempong KK, Ahorlu CS, Boakye DA, Wilson MD. (2017). An evaluation of Wb123 antibody ELISA in individuals treated with Ivermectin and Albendazole, and implementation challenges in Africa. Pan African Medical Journal 27:65. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2017.27.65.11004

1. Biritwum NK, de Souza DK, Marfo B, Odoom S, Alomatu B, Asiedu O, Yeboah A, Hervie TE, Mensah EO, Yikpotey P, Koroma JB, Molyneux D, Bockarie MJ, Gyapong JO (2017). Fifteen years of programme implementation for the elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in Ghana: impact of MDA on immuno-parasitological indicators. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 11(3): e0005280 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0005280 
2. Kawada H, Higa Y, Futami K, Muranami Y, Kawashima E, Osei JHN, Dadzie S, Sakyi KY, de Souza DK, Appawu M, Ohta N, Suzuki T, Minakawa N (2016). Discovery of the Point Mutation in the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel (kdr) from African Aedes aegypti (L.) Populations Collected in Ghana and Potential Phylogenetic Reasons for Gene Introgression. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 10(6): e0004780. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004780
3. de Souza DK, Yirenkyi E, Otchere J, Biritwum NK, Ameme DK, Sackey S, Ahorlu C, Wilson MD (2016). Assessing Lymphatic Filariasis Data Quality in Endemic Communities in Ghana, Using the Neglected Tropical Diseases Data Quality Assessment Tool for Preventive Chemotherapy. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 10(3): e0004590. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004590
4. Kouassi BL, de Souza DK, Goepogui A, Balde SM, Diakite L, Sagno A, Djamey, IG, Chammartin F, Vonatsou P, Bockarie MJ, Utzinger J and BG Koudou (2016). Low prevalence of Plasmodium and absence of malaria transmission in Conakry, Guinea: prospects for elimination. Malaria Journal. 15:175. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-016-1230-9  
5. de Souza DK, Ansumana R, Sessay S, Rebollo MP, Koroma J, Koudou B, Boakye DA, Bockarie MJ (2015). The impact of residual infections on Anopheles-transmitted Wuchereria bancrofti after multiple rounds of mass drug administration. Parasites and Vectors. 8:488.
6. Kouassi BL, de Souza DK, Goepogui A, Narh CA, King SA, Mamadou BS, Dadzie S, Boakye DA, Utzinger J, Bockarie M, Koudou BG (2015). Assessing the presence of Wuchereria bancrofti in vector and human populations from urban communities in Conakry, Guinea. Parasites and Vectors. 8:492.
7. Owusu IO, de Souza DK, Anto F, Wilson MD, Boakye DA, Bockarie MJ, Gyapong JO (2015). Evaluation of human and mosquito based diagnostic tools for defining endpoints for elimination of Anopheles transmitted lymphatic filariasis in Ghana. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 109: 628–635.
8. Narh CA, Mosi L, Quaye C, Dassi C, Konan DO, Tay SC, de Souza DK, Boakye DA, Bonfoh B (2015). Source tracking Mycobacterium ulcerans infections in the Ashanti region, Ghana. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 9(1):e0003437. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0003437 
9. de Souza DK, Osei-Poku J, Blum J, Baidoo H, Brown CA, Lawson BW, Wilson MD, Bockarie MJ, Boakye DA (2014). The epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis in Ghana, explained by the possible existence of two strains of Wuchereria bancrofti. Pan Afr Med J. 17:133. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2014.17.133.3370 
10. Obeng B, Amoah A, Larbi I, de Souza D, Uh H-W, Fernandez-Rivas M, Van Ree R, Rodrigues L, Boakye D, Yazdanbakhsh M, Hartgers F (2014) Schistosome infection is negatively associated with mite atopy, but not wheeze and asthma in Ghanaian Schoolchildren. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 44(7): 965-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.12307
11. de Souza DK, Sesay S, Moore MG, Ansumana R, Narh CA, Kollie K, Rebollo MP, Koudou BG, Koroma JB, Bolay FK, Boakye DA, Bockarie MJ (2014). No evidence for lymphatic filariasis transmission in big cities affected by conflict related rural-urban migration in Sierra Leone and Liberia. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 8(2):e2700. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002700  
12. Duah NO, Matrevi SA, de Souza DK, Binnah DD, Tamakloe MM, Opoku VS, Onwona CO, Narh CA, Quashie NB, Abuaku B, Duplessis C, Kronmann KC, Koram KA (2013). Increased pfmdr1 gene copy number and the decline in pfcrt and pfmdr1 resistance alleles in Ghanaian Plasmodium falciparum isolates after the change of anti-malarial drug treatment policy. Malar J. 12:377. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-12-377
13. de Souza DK, Koudou BG, Bolay FK, Boakye DA, Bockarie MJ (2013). Filling the gap 115 years after Ronald Ross: the distribution of the Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles gambiae s.s from Freetown and Monrovia, West Africa. PLoS One. 8(5):e64939. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064939 
14. de Souza DK, Quaye C, Mosi L, Addo P, Boakye DA (2012). A quick and cost effective method for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection. BMC Infect Dis. 12:8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-12-8
15. Alam MT, de Souza DK, Vinayak S, Griffing SM, Poe AC, Duah NO, Ghansah A, Asamoa K, Slutsker L, Wilson MD, Barnwell JW, Udhayakumar V, Koram KA (2011). Selective sweeps and genetic lineages of Plasmodium falciparum drug -resistant alleles in Ghana. J Infect Dis. 203(2):220-7. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiq038 
16. de Souza D, Kelly-Hope L, Lawson B, Wilson M, Boakye D (2010). Environmental factors associated with the distribution of Anopheles gambiae s.s in Ghana; an important vector of lymphatic filariasis and malaria. PLoS One. 5(3):e9927. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0009927
17. Kok M, de Souza DK (2010). Young Voices demand health research goals. Lancet. 375(9724):1416-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60584-3 

Book Chapters

1. Boakye DA, de Souza DK, Bockarie MJ. (2016). Alternative Interventions against Neglected Tropical Diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa: Vector Control. In: Neglected Tropical Diseases - Sub-Saharan Africa, Edition: 1st, Editors: Gyapong J, Boatin B, pp.268-379. ISBN 978-3-319-25471-5. Springer International Publishing - Switzerland.
2. Wilson MD, de Souza DK, Ayi I. (2016). Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis. In: Neglected Tropical Diseases - Sub-Saharan Africa, Edition: 1st, Editors: Gyapong J, Boatin B, pp.290-311. ISBN 978-3-319-25471-5. Springer International Publishing - Switzerland.
3. de Souza DK, Okorie PN, Adeogun AO, Elaagip AH. (2015). Disease control using GMVs: where do we stand in Africa after nearly half a century? In: Biosafety for human health and the environment in the context of the potential use of genetically modified mosquitoes (GMMs). World Health Organization. Pp 242. ISBN: 978 92 4 154927 1.
4. de Souza DK, Boakye DA, Wilson MD. (2014). Towards unravelling the complexities of filarial diseases transmission and research for control in Ghana. In Towards Effective Disease Control in Ghana: Research and Policy Implications. Ahorlu CSK, Bosompem KM, Koram KA, Wilson MD, Yeboah-Manu D (Eds). University of Ghana, Accra-Ghana.
5. de Souza DK, Owusu PN, Wilson MD. (2012). Impact of Climate Change on the Geographic Scope of Diseases. In Human and Social Dimensions of Climate Change, Netra Chhetri (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-51-0847-4, InTech, Available from: http://www.intechopen.com/books/human-and-social-dimensions-of-climate-change/impact-of-climate-change-on-the-geographic-scope-of-diseases.