A question raised by the epidemiology was whether there was any cross-infection between pigs and people. Pigs are economically very important in much of rural China and people are often in close contact with them. The pigs get roundworm infections too and, though it isn't known to happen in other places, we need to know whether cross-infection is a possibility. On the basis of the samples we've seen, the worm populations seem to be different, but we still have to confirm whether cross-infection is possible. If that happens, the manufacturers aren't likely to spend the money needed to find an effective alternative because the market isn't there - the demand, yes, but not the money.
Ascariasis affects poor people.
There are difficulties in administering any effective treatment because of China's size and density of population. It is desperately short of doctors, especially in its rural areas, a problem that the Jiangxi Medical College is doing its best to address with its output of 650 graduates a year. From Glasgow's point of view, questions being raised by the study and its successful continuation stand to open ever-widening areas of mutual interest, collaboration and shared expertise. Teaching and postgraduate exchanges are also a possibility. Atlantic Fellows meet The University and its Faculty of Social Sciences were chosen to host the prestigious Atlantic Fellowships Seminar in June.