“Female Genital Schistosomiasis: Translational Challenges and Opportunities”: Outputs and actions from a consultative, collaborative and translational workshop

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 (SSA). Starting from early childhood, this stigmatising gynaecological condition is caused by the presence of Schistosoma eggs and associated toxins within the genital tract. S. haematobium typically causes debilitating urogenital symptoms, mostly a consequence of inflammation, that includes bleeding, discharge and lower abdominal pelvic pain. Chronic complications of FGS include adverse sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) outcomes such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. FGS is associated with prevalent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and may increase the susceptibility of women to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) 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 September 6^th, 2024, LifeArc, the Global Schistosomiasis Alliance (GSA) 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 galvanise the community and research funders.