This review considers the current status of urinary schistosomiasis, caused by infection with Schistosoma haematobium, and argues that greater research effort and focus are needed to improve understanding of this neglected tropical disease (NTD). The inappropriateness of relying solely on data concerning the much more extensively studied intestinal form of schistosomiasis caused by S. mansoni is highlighted. The current lack of genome and transcriptome information for S. haematobium is directly hindering further targeted research and must be quickly rectified. Recent molecular phylogenies caution the expectation of similarities between schistosome species and highlight the close relationships of species within the S. haematobium group. Treatment, current and prospective drugs and vaccines, together with diagnosis are considered, highlighting the differences associated with urinary schistosomiasis. This infection has a significant and specific impact on the urino-genital system and has a strong association with bladder cancer, leading to severe and chronic morbidity. There is a clear need for new clinical initiatives in this area to better quantify the disease burden. Furthermore, emerging associations with HIV and other pathogens need to be closely monitored. Research is urgently needed to improve current knowledge in order to develop the next generation of control tools.

The expansion in the volume of research activity over the last 100 years and the acceleration of technological change that underpins the nature and, to a lesser extent, the quality of the science we do, means that those in science today have little time, or indeed opportunity, for reflection on some of the pioneering efforts within their fields. From the first discovery of schistosome parasites in Egypt in 1851 by Theodor Bilharz, research on schistosomiasis has provided valuable insights into many wider aspects of biology and medicine and has attracted an array of colourful and dynamic scientists who have made major advances through elegant experimentation.

The high level of protection which can be induced by vaccination of a range of hosts, from rodents to primates, with live radiation-attenuated schistosome larvae offers great promise for development of a human schistosome vaccine. Studies of the irradiated vaccine models benefitted from significant funding during the 1970–90s and much was learned concerning the inducers, targets and mechanisms of immunity. Less progress was made in definition of the protective antigens involved. The application of new techniques for identifying membrane and secreted antigens has recently provided new vaccine candidates and a new impetus for schistosome vaccine development. This article is intended as an overview of some of the main lessons learned from the studies of the irradiated vaccines as a backdrop to renewed interest in schistosome vaccine development.

This review describes some of the developments in helminth biochemistry that have taken place over the last 40 years. Since the early 1970s the main anabolic and catabolic pathways in parasitic helminths have been worked out. The mode of action of the majority of anthelmintics is now known, but in many cases the mechanisms of resistance remain elusive. Developments in helminth biochemistry have depended heavily on developments in other areas. High throughput methods such as proteomics, transcriptomics and genome sequencing are now generating vast amounts of new data. The challenge for the future is to interpret and understand the biological relevance of this new information.

This review discusses 5 of my earliest papers on the biochemistry of larval Echinococcus published in Parasitology in the 1970s and 1980s. Two of the publications consider aspects of the basic biochemistry, intermediary metabolism and the regulation of respiratory pathways in E. granulosus and E. multilocularis, and emphasize the existence of inter- and intra-species variation in their general metabolism. The third reports on the detailed biochemical analysis of the tegumental surface of the protoscolex of E. granulosus, and the final 2 papers describe the genomic cloning of Echinococcus DNA fragments and their use, along with other DNA markers, in molecular identification of E. granulosus isolates collected worldwide from areas endemic for hydatid disease. A number of years have elapsed since these publications in Parasitology and, in this Centenary Issue article, I reflect briefly on some of the subsequent studies undertaken in these research areas that have advanced the field. As well, I provide brief insight on new research directions, emphasizing the impact of molecular biology and associated techniques on future studies of Echinococcus and hydatid disease.

Developments in the study of the ecology of helminth parasites of freshwater fishes over the last half century are reviewed. Most research has of necessity been field based and has involved the search for patterns in population and community dynamics that are repeatable in space and time. Mathematical models predict that under certain conditions host and parasite populations can attain equilibrial levels through operation of regulatory factors. Such factors have been identified in several host-parasite systems and some parasite populations have been shown to persist over long time-periods. However, there is no convincing evidence that fish parasite populations are stable and regulated since in all cases alternative explanations are equally acceptable and it appears that they are non-equilibrial systems. It has proved particularly difficult to detect replicable patterns in parasite communities. Inter-specific competition, evidenced by functional and numerical responses, has been detected in several communities but its occurrence is erratic and its significance unclear. Some studies have failed to find any nested patterns in parasite community structure and richness, whereas others have identified such patterns although they are seldom constant over space and time. Departures from randomness appear to be the exception and then only temporary. It appears that parasite communities are non-equilibrial, stochastic assemblages rather than structured and organized.