The meeting will bring together the global schistosomiasis research community to share recent advances, discuss ongoing challenges, and shape future directions in schistosomiasis research. Building on the inaugural conference held in Tübingen, Germany, in 2025, the 2027 edition will also mark 50 years of innovative schistosomiasis research at the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC).

The 2^nd Theodor Bilharz Conference will take place in Leiden, the Netherlands, June 9–11 2027, marking 50 years of innovative schistosomiasis research at the parasitology team of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Every decade marks a milestone.

1977: LUMC researchers describe the first anti‑CAA and anti‑CCA monoclonal antibodies.

1987: A landmark international laboratory workshop at the LUMC, training researchers  in CAA and CCA detection in clinical samples.

1997: The Leiden group introduces the groundbreaking concept of immune hyperresponsiveness in chronic schistosomiasis.

2007: Glycomics‑driven discoveries by the LUMC team opens new research avenues in schistosome biology.

2017: The LUMC team established the world’s first Controlled Human Schistosoma Infection Model.

In 2027, we want to celebrate these achievements together with our global collaborators and colleagues. The scientific programme will cover a broad range of topics across schistosomiasis research.

For inquiries, please contact the organizing committee:

Lisette van Lieshout and Pytsje Hoekstra — schisto2027@lumc.nl

The conference welcomes researchers, clinicians, laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, program managers, students, policymakers, and industry partners working in schistosomiasis and related fields.

Registration is for the full conference only, day registration is not available.

Attendance is limited to 120 participants to promote an interactive meeting and facilitate scientific discussion. We therefore encourage participants to register early.

Please note that the conference will be held in person only. Hybrid participation and pre-recorded presentations will not be available. All presenting authors, including poster presenters, must be registered participants.

Registration fees include access to the scientific program, as well as to all meals offered during the conference, and to the scientific networking dinner.

Abstracts will be invited within the following themes:

1. From Molecules to Mechanisms
   Functional Omics, Microbiome, Biomarker discovery, Molecular Parasitology
    
2. Understanding the immunology of Worm - Host interaction
   Host-Parasite Immunobiology, Immunology, Controlled Human Infection Models
    
3. Understanding Disease
   Clinical manifestations, Travel medicine, Morbidity, Pathogenesis, Chronic disease, Case Management
    
4. Schistosomiasis & Reproductive Health
   FGS, MGS, Maternal Health, Paediatric Health
    
5. Detecting Infection
   Diagnostics, Biomarkers, Surveillance, Monitoring tools, AI-supported tools
    
6. New Weapons Against Schistosomiasis
   Drugs & Vaccine Research, Basic Mechanisms of Resistance
    
7. Breaking Transmission from a One Health Perspective
   Environmental drivers, One Health, Hybrids, Snail Biology
    
8. The Road to Control & Elimination
   Control & Elimination strategies, Implementation science, Health Policy , Health Systems,  Mathematical Modelling

The abstracts will be reviewed and authors will be notified. Accepted abstracts will be integrated into the program either as oral or poster presentations in English. Duration of oral presentations (10 or 25 minutes) will be announced with the acceptance email. Please check your spam box as well.

The presenting author must be a registered participant. Please note that the presenting author is not automatically registered by submitting an abstract.

Abstract submission: 1 February 2027.

Abstract acceptance notification: 15 March 2027. 

You can only submit an Abstract after your registration and payment is completed (maximum of 1 abstract per person).

Please find the full programme here

Concept short programme

Wednesday 9 June 2027

13:o0	Welcome and introduction
13:30	Session I: Understanding the Immunology of the Worm - Host infection
16:45	Sessions II: Breaking Trnsmission from a One Health Perspective
18:00	BBQ at LUMC

Thursday 10 June 2027

09:oo	Sessions III: From Molecules to Mechanisms
11:15	Sessions IV: Detecting Infection
14:30	Sessions V: The Road to Control and Elimination
16:45	Sessions VI: New Weapons Against Schistosomiasis
18:15	Scientific Network Reception

Friday 11 June 2027

09:oo	Session VII: Understanding Disease
11:00	Session VIII: Schistosomiasis & Reproductive Health
18:15	Closure & Best Poster Awards & Departure

Scheltema Leiden

Marktsteeg 1, 2312 CS Leiden, The Netherlands

Hotel stays are not included in the conference fee.

We would recommend to stay in either Fletcher Wellness hotel or Ibis Leiden Centre Hotel. Both hotels are located next to the Leiden Central train station and are within a 12 minute walking distance of Scheltema.