Staff Members

Dr Mark Booth, BSc PhD MA(Cantab) ARCS

Contact Dr Mark Booth (email at mark.booth@durham.ac.uk)

Biography

Mark joined Durham University in 2008 and is currently Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health. He is also Deputy DIrector of the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing. For more information on Mark's role at the Institute please click on the link below:

Wolfson  Profile

You can also search online for additional information using the keywords

"Mark Booth Parasitology"

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Mark graduated from Imperial College with a BSc Hons in Zoology. He stayed on to complete a PhD in Biology focusing on the epidemiology of parasitic infections in developing countries, mainly in Africa.  His interest in parasitology continues at Durham with collaborators drawn from within and outwith the University, taking an interdisciplinary approach that combines information from genetics, ecology, ethnography and immunology to yield novel inferences. Simultaneously, Mark has been using his epidemiological background to work in health-related themes of particular relevance to Durham University, including health inequalities in the UK and a broader range of health-related issues in developing countries. He is actively interested in developing methods of combining biomedical and social research, underpinned by epidemiological principles of study design and inference.

Healthy Futures Research Project

Mark is currently a participant and work-package lead in the EU FP7 funded 'Healthy Futures' project (ENV.2010.1.2.1-1):

Research on the disease impacts of future environmental changes is a key component of ensuring global wellbeing. At the 2008 World Health Assembly (WHA), member states of the WHO committed themselves to a series of actions aimed at confronting the health risks associated with environmental change. The proposed actions span a range of activities and disciplines and include both basic and applied research. Resolution 61.19 (2008) calls for the development of improved decision-support, surveillance and monitoring tools for assessing vulnerability to and health impacts of infectious diseases (WHO 2009). The 'Healthy Futures' project is  adressing this resolution through a multidisciplinary consortium that will examine the influence of a wide range of environmental, socio-economic and demographic factors on transmission of schistosomiasis, rift valley fever and malaria.

• www.healthyfutures.eu

 

N8 Parasitology Group

Mark convenes the N8 Parasitology group which consists of over 40 academic members from the 8 Universities that comprise the N8 partnership (Newcastle, Durham, York, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Lancaster). The group aims to improve links between academia and the commercial sector and to open up collaborative opportunities amongst the University partners. More information about the group is available at this link

• N8 Parasitology homepage

Africa Regional Interests Group

Mark convenes this group, which forms part of the University's Internationalisation strategy. Membership of the group is open to any member of the University whose work is linked to Africa. The group serves to highlight Durham University's commitment to working in Africa. It serves to facilitate networking and information sharing, and helps build meaningful partnerships between institutions. You can read more about the group by clicking on the link below

• Africa Regional Interest Group

Research Fellowships

Mark welcomes enquiries from Phd graduates interested in obtaining personal post-doctoral fellowships in the epidemiology of infectious and non-communicable disease in both the UK and Africa. Individuals interested in multi-disciplinary studies are particularly encouraged to make contact.

External interests

Mark holds positions in the following organisations:

• Member, British Society for Parasitology
  
• Committee Member of the Durham Forum for Health

PhD Supervision

Dr Booth co-supervises the following PhD students:

• Joseph Sambali (with Dr Christine Dunn and Dr Ann le Mare) - risky behaviours and infectious disease in Tanzania
• Nicky McCreesh (with Dr Martyn Lucas) - enviromental variation and transmission of schistosomiasis in Uganda
• Dalia Iskander (with Dr Kate Hampshire) - school children as change agents of malaria health behaviours

Ruth First Educational Trust

Mark sits on the Executive Committee for the Trust, which raises money to bring scholars from Southern Africa to Durham for postgraduate (Masters level) studies. More information about the Trust is available from the link below:

• Ruth First Educational Trust

Selected Publications

Articles: magazine

• Booth, M (2011). Two and a half Cheers for Bill Gates. New Statesman

Journal papers: academic

• Pending (2013). Sustained regression of peri-portal fibrosis in a Ugandan fishing community after 3 praziquantel treatments for Schistosoma mansoni infection: an eight year follow-up study. Pending Pending(Pending): Pending, Pending.
• Naraghi, Kamran, Booth, Mark, Russell, Andrew J & van Laar, Jacob M (2011). Determination of smoking status of rheumatoid arthritis patients by means of a self-reported questionnaire and serum cotinine assay: a cross-sectional study. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
• Stothard, JR, Chiodini, P & Booth, M (2011). Progress in paediatric parasitology: a preface to a topic focusing on ever younger subjects. Parasitology 138(12): 1453-8.
• de Moira, Angela Pinot, Kabatereine, Narcis B., Dunne, David W. & Booth, Mark (2011). Understanding Ethnic Differences in behaviour relating to schistosoma mansoni re-infection after mass treatment. JOURNAL OF BIOSOCIAL SCIENCE 43(2): 185-209.
• de Moira, Angela Pinot, Fulford, Anthony J.C., Kabatereine, Narcis B., Ouma, John H., Booth, Mark & Dunne, David W. (2010). Analysis of Complex Patterns of Human Exposure and Immunity to Schistosomiasis mansoni: The Influence of Age, Sex, Ethnicity and IgE. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 4(9): e820.
• S. Wilson, B.J. Vennervald, H. Kadzo, E. Ireri, C. Amaganga, M. Booth, H.C. Kariuki, J.K. Mwatha, G. Kimani, J.H. Ouma, E. Muchiri & D.W. Dunne (2010). Health implications of chronic hepatosplenomegaly in Kenyan school-aged children chronically exposed to malarial infections and Schistosoma mansoni. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 104(2): 110-6.
• Woodburn,PW, Muhangi,L, Hillier,S, Ndibazza,J, Namujju,PB, Kizza,M, Ameke,C, Omoding,NE, Booth,M & Elliott,AM (2009). Risk Factors for Helminth, Malaria, and HIV Infection in Pregnancy in Entebbe, Uganda. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases 3(6): e473.
• S. Wilson, F.M. Jones, J.K. Mwatha, G. Kimani, M. Booth, H.C. Kariuki, B.J. Vennervald, J.H. Ouma, E. Muchiri & D.W. Dunne (2008). Hepatosplenomegaly is associated with low regulatory and Th2 responses to schistosome antigens in childhood schistosomiasis and malaria coinfection. Infect Immun 76(5): 2212-8.
• M. Booth, A. Graham & M. Viney (2008). Parasitic co-infections: challenges and solutions. Parasitology 135(7): 749.
• S.D. Hillier, M. Booth, L. Muhangi, P. Nkurunziza, M. Khihembo, M. Kakande, M. Sewankambo, R. Kizindo, M. Kizza, M. Muwanga & A.M. Elliott (2008). Plasmodium falciparum and Helminth Coinfection in a Semiurban Population of Pregnant Women in Uganda. Journal of Infectious Diseases 198(6): 920-927.
• S. Wilson, M. Booth, F.M. Jones, J.K. Mwatha, G. Kimani, H.C. Kariuki, B.J. Vennervald, J.H. Ouma, E. Muchiri & D.W. Dunne (2007). Age-adjusted Plasmodium falciparum antibody levels in school-aged children are a stable marker of microgeographical variations in exposure to Plasmodium infection. BMC Infect Dis 7: 67.
• S. Wilson, B.J. Vennervald, H. Kadzo, E. Ireri, C. Amaganga, M. Booth, H.C. Kariuki, J.K. Mwatha, G. Kimani, J.H. Ouma, E. Muchiri & D.W. Dunne (2007). Hepatosplenomegaly in Kenyan schoolchildren: exacerbation by concurrent chronic exposure to malaria and Schistosoma mansoni infection. Trop Med Int Health 12(12): 1442-9.
• A. Pinot de Moira, A.J. Fulford, N.B. Kabatereine, F. Kazibwe, J.H. Ouma, D.W. Dunne & M. Booth (2007). Microgeographical and tribal variations in water contact and Schistosoma mansoni exposure within a Ugandan fishing community. Trop Med Int Health 12(6): 724-35.
• D.W. Dunne, B.J. Vennervald, M. Booth, S. Joseph, C.M. Fitzsimmons, P. Cahen, R.F. Sturrock, J.H. Ouma, J.K. Mwatha, G. Kimani, H.C. Kariuki, F. Kazibwe, E. Tukahebwa & N.B. Kabatereine (2006). Applied and basic research on the epidemiology, morbidity, and immunology of schistosomiasis in fishing communities on Lake Albert, Uganda. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 100(3): 216-23.
• M. Booth, M.A. Shaw, D. Carpenter, S. Joseph, N.B. Kabatereine, H.C. Kariuki, J.K. Mwatha, F.M. Jones, B.J. Vennervald, J.H. Ouma & D.W. Dunne (2006). Carriage of DRB1*13 is associated with increased posttreatment IgE levels against Schistosoma mansoni antigens and lower long-term reinfection levels. J Immunol 176(11): 7112-8.
• F. Kazibwe, B. Makanga, C. Rubaire-Akiiki, J. Ouma, H.C. Kariuki, N.B. Kabaterine, M. Booth, B.J. Vennervald, R.F. Sturrock & S. R (2006). Ecology of Biomphalaria (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) in Lake Albert, Western Uganda: snail distributions, infection with schistosomes and temporal associations with environmental dynamics. Hydrobiologia 568(1): 433 - 444.
• C.M. Reimert, C.M. Fitzsimmons, S. Joseph, J.K. Mwatha, F.M. Jones, G. Kimani, K.F. Hoffmann, M. Booth, N.B. Kabatereine, D.W. Dunne & B.J. Vennervald (2006). Eosinophil activity in Schistosoma mansoni infections in vivo and in vitro in relation to plasma cytokine profile pre- and posttreatment with praziquantel. Clin Vaccine Immunol 13(5): 584-93.
• M. Booth (2006). The role of residential location in apparent helminth and malaria associations. Trends Parasitol 22(8): 359-62.
• B. Vennervald, M. Booth, A.E. Butterworth, C.H. Kariuki, H. Kadzo, E. Ireri, C. Amaganga, K. Gachuhi, L.C. Kenty, J.K. Mwatha, J.H. Ouma & D.W. Dunne (2005). Regression of hepatosplenomegaly in Kenyan school-aged children after praziquantel treatment and in the absence of re-infection by Schistosoma mansoni. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 99(2): 150-60.
• S. Joseph, F.M. Jones, G. Kimani, J.K. Mwatha, T. Kamau, F. Kazibwe, J. Kemijumbi, N.B. Kabatereine, M. Booth, H.C. Kariuki, J.H. Ouma, B.J. Vennervald & D.W. Dunne (2004). Cytokine production in whole blood cultures from a fishing community in an area of high endemicity for Schistosoma mansoni in Uganda: the differential effect of parasite worm and egg antigens. Infect Immun 72(2): 728-34.
• B.J. Vennervald, L.C. Kenty, A.E. Butterworth, C.H. Kariuki, H. Kadzo, E. Ireri, C. Amaganga, K. Gachuhi, J.K. Mwatha, A. Otedo, M. Booth, J.H. Ouma & D.W. Dunne (2004). Detailed clinical and ultrasound examination of children and adolescents in a Schistosoma mansoni endemic area in Kenya: hepatosplenic disease in the absence of portal fibrosis. Tropical Medicine and International Health 9(4): 461 - 470.
• M. Booth, B.J. Vennervald, A.E. Butterworth, H.C. Kariuki, A. Clifford, G. Kimani, J.K. Mwatha, A. Otedo, J.H. Ouma & D.W. Dunne (2004). Exposure to malaria affects the regression of hepatosplenomegaly after treatment for Schistosoma mansoni infection in Kenyan children. BMC Med 2(1): 36.
• M. Booth, B.J. Vennervald, H. Kadzo, F. Kazibwe, J.H. Ouma, K. Gachuhi, N.B. Kabatereine & D.W. Dunne (2004). Hepatosplenic morbidity in two neighbouring communities in Uganda with high levels of Schistosoma mansoni infection but very different durations of residence. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 98: 125 - 136.
• M. Booth, B.J. Vennervald, L.C. Kenty, A.E. Butterworth, C.H. Kariuki, H. Kadzo, E. Ireri, C. Amaganga, K. Gachuhi, J.K. Mwatha, A. Otedo, J. Ouma & D.W. Dunne (2004). Micro-geographical variation in exposure to Schistosoma mansoni and malaria, and exacerbation of splenomegaly in Kenyan school-aged children. BMC Infectious Diseases 4:13.
• M. Booth, J.K. Mwatha, S. Joseph, F.M. Jones, H. Kadzo, E. Ireri, F. Kazibwe, J. Kemijumbi, C.H. Kariuki, K. Gachuhi, J.H. Ouma, N.B. Kabatereine, B.J. Vennervald & D.W. Dunne (2004). Peri-portal fibrosis in human Schistosoma mansoni infection is associated with low IL-10, low IFNg, high TNFa or low RANTES, depending on age and gender. Journal of Immunology 172: 1295 - 1303.
• M. Booth & D.W. Dunne (2004). Spatial awareness in parasite immuno-epidemiology. Parasite Immunol 26(11-12): 499-507.
• M. Booth, P. Vounatsou, E.K. N'Goran, M. Tanner & J. Utzinger (2003). The influence of sampling effort and the performance of the Kato-Katz technique in diagnosing Schistosoma mansoni and hookworm co-infections in rural Cote d'Ivoire. Parasitology 127: 525 - 531.
• C.W. Naus, M. Booth, F.M. Jones, J. Kemijumbi, B.J. Vennervald, C.H. Kariuki, J.H. Ouma, N.B. Kabatereine & D.W. Dunne (2003). The relationship between age, sex, egg-count and specific antibody responses against Schistosoma mansoni antigens in a Ugandan fishing community. Trop Med Int Health 8(6): 561-8.
• J. Utzinger, P. Vounatsou, E.K. N'Goran, M. Tanner & M. Booth (2002). Reduction in the prevalence and intensity of hookworm infections after praziquantel treatment for schistosomiasis infection. Int J Parasitol 32(6): 759-65.
• T. Smith, J.L. Hii, B. Genton, I. Muller, M. Booth, N. Gibson, A. Narara & M.P. Alpers (2001). Associations of peak shifts in age--prevalence for human malarias with bednet coverage. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 95(1): 1-6.
• J. Utzinger, M. Booth, E.K. N'Goran, I. Muller, M. Tanner & C. Lengeler (2001). Relative contribution of day-to-day and intra-specimen variation in faecal egg counts of Schistosoma mansoni before and after treatment with praziquantel. Parasitology 122(Pt 5): 537-44.
• J. Utzinger, E.K. N'Goran, Y.A. Ossey, M. Booth, M. Traore, K.L. Lohourignon, A. Allangba, L.A. Ahiba, M. Tanner & C. Lengeler (2000). Rapid screening for Schistosoma mansoni in western Cote d'Ivoire using a simple school questionnaire. Bull World Health Organ 78(3): 389-98.
• S.H. Xiao, M. Booth & M. Tanner (2000). The prophylactic effects of artemether against Schistosoma japonicum infections. Parasitol Today 16(3): 122-6.
• S. Brooker, M. Booth & H. Guyatt (1999). Comparisons of schistosome and geohelminth infection prevalences in school-aged children from selected areas of Africa: implications for rapid assessment and combined control. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 93(2): 125-6.
• M. Booth, D.A. Bundy, M. Albonico, H.M. Chwaya, K.S. Alawi & L. Savioli (1998). Associations among multiple geohelminth species infections in schoolchildren from Pemba Island. Parasitology 116 ( Pt 1): 85-93.
• C. Pervilhac, H. Mshinda, J. Utzinger, M. Booth & M. Tanner (1998). Experiences with a multi-sectorial operation research programme for control of schistosomiasis in a Tanzanian district. Afr J Health Sci 5(3-4): 153-61.
• J. Guo, M. Booth, J. Jenkins, H. Wang & M. Tanner (1998). Field activity cost estimates for the first 3 years of the World Bank Loan Project for schistosomiasis control in China. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 29(4): 706-13.
• A.G. Ross, Y. Li, M. Booth, A.C. Sleigh, G.M. Williams & D.P. McManus (1998). Five year impact of chemotherapy on morbidity attributable to Schistosoma japonicum infection in the Dongting Lake region. Trop Med Int Health 3(10): 837-41.
• J.D. Charlwood, T. Smith, E. Lyimo, A.Y. Kitua, H. Masanja, M. Booth, P.L. Alonso & M. Tanner (1998). Incidence of Plasmodium falciparum infection in infants in relation to exposure to sporozoite-infected anophelines. Am J Trop Med Hyg 59(2): 243-51.
• M. Booth (1998). The application of attributable risk analysis in helminth epidemiology. Parasitology Today 14(12): 497 - 500.
• M. Booth, C. Mayombana & P. Kilima (1998). The population biology and epidemiology of schistosome and geohelminth infections among schoolchildren in Tanzania. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 92(5): 491-5.
• M. Booth, C. Mayombana, H. Machibya, H. Masanja, P. Odermatt, J. Utzinger & P. Kilima (1998). The use of morbidity questionnaires to identify communities with high prevalences of schistosome or geohelminth infections in Tanzania. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 92(5): 484-90.
• M. Booth, Y. Li & M. Tanner (1996). Helminth infections, morbidity indicators and schistosomiasis treatment history in three villages, Dongting Lake region, PR China. Trop Med Int Health 1(4): 464-74.
• M. Booth, H.L. Guyatt, Y. Li & M. Tanner (1996). The morbidity attributable to Schistosoma japonicum infection in 3 villages in Dongting Lake region, Hunan province, PR China. Trop Med Int Health 1(5): 646-54.
• M. Booth & D.A. Bundy (1995). Estimating the number of multiple-species geohelminth infections in human communities. Parasitology 111 ( Pt 5): 645-53.
• M.S. Chan, H.L. Guyatt, D.A. Bundy, M. Booth, A.J. Fulford & G.F. Medley (1995). The development of an age structured model for schistosomiasis transmission dynamics and control and its validation for Schistosoma mansoni. Epidemiol Infect 115(2): 325-44.
• M. Booth & D.A. Bundy (1992). Comparative prevalences of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm infections and the prospects for combined control. Parasitology 105 ( Pt 1): 151-7.

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Research Projects

Department of Geography

• Evaluating the County Durham Worklessness and Health Support Programme, County Durham Primary Care Trust, £550,000

Research Interests

• Health and wellbeing
• Health inequalities
• Parasitology
• Epidemiology
• Global Health
• Neglected Tropical Diseases

Media Contacts

Available for media contact about:

• Africa: I have worked in several countries of East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ugdanda) on a number of studies related to the epidemiology of infectious and chronic disease
• Infectious diseases: I have research interests related to several species of parasitic infections including malaria, bilharzia and soil transmitted helminths
• Public policy, health and well-being: My background in epidemiology has given me insights into methodological aspects of investigations into public health
• Public policy, health and well-being: Global health issues, particularly those relevant to developing countries

Supervises

• Miss Dalia Iskander
• Ms Nicola Mccreesh