Human Intestinal Schistosomiasis in Communities Living Near three Rivers of Jimma Town; South Western Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Schistosoma mansoni is one of the parasites with high public and medical importance in Ethiopia. However; information is scarce about S. mansoni epidemiology in people living with higher risk of infection in Jimma town. This study was designed to determine point prevalence; intensity and risk factors of S. mansoni infection among residents nearby three rivers of Jimma town and assess the rate of Biomphalaria species shading cercariae from January to April; 2007. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in communities residing nearby three rivers of Jimma town. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on socio- demographic and behavioral risk factors. After physical examination; stool samples were collected from 517 study participants and processed with Kato-Katz technique for microscopic examination and quantification of egg load. Snails were collected for identification of Biomphalaria species and then checked for cercarial shading. RESULTS: The prevalence of S. mansoni was 26.3with intensity ranging 24 to 936 eggs per gram of stool. Participants in the age group 10-19 years; OR = 2.19 (95CI; 1.10 - 4.34); and those living near the Awetu River; OR = 2.67 (95CI; 1.06 - 6.75); had higher risk of S. mansoni infection. Moreover; water contact while crossing a river; OR = 3.77 (95CI; 1.79 - 7.95); and swimming; OR = 2.59 (95CI; 1.37 - 4.91; was significantly associated with infection. Biomphalaria snails collected from Chore and Awetu Rivers shaded higher rate of cercariae compared with Kito River. CONCLUSION: A moderate prevalence of S. mansoni infection was shown in the study population. Infection rate among the residents correlated with rate of cercarial shading Biomphalaria snails. Treatment of targeted groups; appropriate health education and environmental measures (e.g. snail control) are needed to improve the situation

Current Status of Intestinal Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis among Primary School Children in Adwa Town; Northern Ethiopia

Background: Epidemiological baseline information on the prevalence and intensity of parasitic infections in a given locality is a prerequisite for development and evaluation of sound control strategies. Objective: To determine the current status of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among primary school children in Adwa Town; northern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out in eight primary schools in Adwa Town between October and November 2007. Fecal samples of 386 school children in the age group 7-18 were collected and microscopically examined using the Kato-Katz and formol-ether concentration methods. A questionnaire was used to identify determinants for Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminth infections. Results: The most prevalent intestinal parasitic infection among primary school children in Adwa Town as determined by Kato-Katz (58.7) and formol ether concentration (60.6) methods was intestinal schistosomiasis; with an overall intensity of 95.8 eggs per gram of stool. The prevalence of S. mansoni infection was higher in males (70.7) than in females (57); as determined by both methods. Less common parasites observed included Ascaris lumbricoides; hookworm species; Hymenolepis nana; Strongyloides stercoralis; and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar. Conclusion: The residents of Adwa Town represent a high-risk community with respect to intestinal schistosomiasis. Hence; mass praziquantel administration to school-age children and all adults considered to be at risk is required once a year until the level of infection falls below the level of public health importance. There is also a need to supplement chemotherapy with other measures such as environmental sanitation and health education to make the impact of chemotherapy sustainable. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2010;24(3):191-197]

Schistosomiasis Mansoni and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis in Bushulo Village; Southern Ethiopia

Background:Schistosomiasis mansoni and soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STHs) are considerable medical and public health problems in Ethiopia. However; information is limited on the epidemiology of these infections in different localities even though it is needed to plan effective prevention and control measures.Objective: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and soil-transmitted helminth infections in school children and residents in Bushulo village near Lake Awassa (Hawassa); southern Ethiopia.Methods: Cross-sectional epidemiological and parasitological studies were conducted on schistosomiasis mansoni and STHs in Bushulo village in May and June 2007. A total of 419 participants (353 school children and 66 other residents) were included in the study. The principal investigator interviewed the study subjects about demographic status using structured questionnaires. Moreover; experienced nurse took history and conducted physical examination to assess symptoms and signs related to chronic S. mansoni infection. A single stool sample was collected from each participant and processed using the Kato-Katz technique. Experienced laboratory technician read all slides at Bushulo Health Center. Results: The overall infection rates of schistosomiasis mansoni; trichuriasis; ascariasis and hookworm infection were 73.7; 41.5; 37.2and 28.4; respectively. Other parasitic infections observed were caused by Hymenolepis nana (1.7); Taenia species (1.4); and Enterobius vermicularis (1.4). Children in the age range 10-14 years and those attending at St. Paul's School had higher rates of T. trichiura and S. mansoni; respectively. Intensity of infection was higher for A. lumbricoides in the age range 5-9 years. The overall prevalence of any STHs was 67.3. The rates of single; dual; triple and quadruple infections were 29.6; 32; 20.3and 7.4; respectively. Conclusion: The high prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis mansoni and soil-transmitted helminthiasis makes periodic deworming programme urgent to reduce morbidity and transmission of helminthiasis in the area. Provisions of sanitary facilities and clean water supply as well as health education are also critically needed to sustain the impact of chemotherapy

Etude de la prevalence de la bilharziose intestinale en milieu scolaire dans les regions de Saint Louis; Matam et Tambacounda au Senegal

Introduction : la bilharziose intestinale est une parasitose qui a toujours sevi dans la partir nord du Senegal; les enfants constituent le groupe d'age le plus expose a cette maladie. Le but de ce travail est de determiner la prevalence de cette pathologie avec comme cible les eleves de la vallee du fleuve Senegal. Materiels et methodes : cette etude s'est deroulee du 10 novembre 2002 au 1er janvier 2003 et a concerne 63 ecoles des regions de Tambacounda; Matam et Saint Louis. Resultats : l'etude n'a concerne que 2.245 eleves sur un effectif total de presque 30 000 eleves dans cette zone; soit un taux d'inclusion de pres de 7;5. Ces eleves ont eu a beneficier d'un examen parasitologique des selles par la technique de Kato/Katz. Parmi les differents departements examines; la bilharziose intestinale a Schistosoma mansoni a ete retrouvee dans seulement 2 departements le long de la vallee du fleuve; a savoir : Richard Toll avec 64 cas sur 318 examines; soit une prevalence de 20; et Kedougou avec 2 cas sur 220; soit 0;9de prevalence. Conclusion : Cette etude realisee le long de la vallee du fleuve; montre une presence de la bilharziose intestinale uniquement a Richard Toll avec une forte prevalence; mais egalement a Kedougou ou les premiers cas sont rapportes dans la partie orientale du Senegal a travers ce travail

Presence of Schistomiasis in Genital Biopsies from Patients at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka; Zambia

Background: Ectopic localizations of the adult Schistosomes and ova in the genital tract of individuals living in schistosoma endemic areas are common. The infection can affect both male and female reproductive organs; and although it is predominant in adult women; case reports in girls younger than 15 years of age have been documented. Objective: The objective of this review was to determine and document the presence of genital schistosomiasis from biopsy specimens. Methods: Patients' laboratory records at the University Teaching Hospital histopathology laboratory for the period 2001 to 2007 were retrieved and reviewed for reports on the presence of schistosomiasis. Data were analysed by age; sex and biopsy site. Results: Thirty eight (65.5) of the 58 specimens with schistosomiasis were from the genital organs. Female genital tract schistosomiasis was more prevalent (84.2) than male genital schistosomiasis (15.8); p0.001. Schistosomiasis was high in biopsy specimens collected from the cervix

Criteres echographiques predictifs d'hypertension portale due a Schistosoma mansoni dans une zone d'endemie recente

Les premiers cas de bilharziose a Schistosoma mansoni ont ete depistes dans la vallee du fleuve Senegal il y a dix ans. Aujourd'hui; le niveau d'endemie est tel que certains villages presentent des prevalences superieures a 90 p. 100. Le diagnostic de schistosomose n'est parfois porte qu'au stade d'hypertension portale (rupture de varices oesophagiennes). L'endoscopie est l'examen de reference pour detecter la presence de varices oesophagiennes; mais son application sur le terrain est delicate. C'est pourquoi leur recherche par echographie; acte non invasif; est d'un grand interet. Cette etude a recherche chez 101 sujets de la region de Richard-Toll l'existence de signes d'hypertension portale; simultanement par fibroscopie digestive et par echographie. Elle a montre que moins de 10 ans apres la description du premier cas de bilharziose; il existait deja des formes compliquees d'hypertension portale dans la region. Cette etude a egalement cherche a etablir un score echographique permettant de predire l'existence d'une hypertension portale. Les items retenus ont ete l'epaississement de la paroi des vaisseaux portes; le diametre de la veine porte et de la veine splenique et l'aspect collabe ou non de la veine splenique pendant l'inspiration. Au cours de l'etude; l'echelle de score ainsi etablie a semble etre un bon temoin predictif du developpement de varices oesophagiennes. L'echographie represente un examen utile pour le depistage des formes compliquees de schistosomoses susceptibles de representer un moyen simple de surveillance des populations residant en zone d'endemie recente et intense de schistosomose

Bilharzioses au Senegal oriental : prevalence chez les enfants de la region de Bandafassi

Une enquete epidemiologique a etemenee au Senegal Oriental - arrondissements de Bandafassi - dans le but d'etablir la prevalence des bilharzioses intestinale et urinaire chez les enfants d'age scolaire de 6 a 14 ans. Les selles et les urines de 505 enfants de 10 villages ont ete examinees; et parallelement les points d'eaux susceptibles de constituer des biotopes pour lesmollusques hotes intermediaires - Biomphalaria sp. et Bulinus sp. - ont ete recenses et explores. L'existence de foyers perennes de bilharziose intestinale dans la region de Bandafassi au coeur de la brousse est etablie. La distribution sporadique de praziquantel se montre efficace mais totalement insuffisante pour eradiquer des foyers de Schistosoma mansoni perennes dans les sites explores

Dynamique de transmission de schistosoma Mansoni en milieu peri-urbain (quartier de Nkolbisson; Yaounde): infestation naturelle d'un hote definitif; la souris blanche; aux differents points de contact homme/eau

Cette etude de la dynamique de transmission de schistosoma Mansoni aborde les facteurs sociaux comportementaux et environnementaux de la maladie; avec en prealable l'identification des sites a risque de transmission. Elle a finalement permis de preciser plusieurs points utiles a la mise en place d'une politique de lutte efficace contre la bilharziose a Nkolbisson

The incidence of schistosomiasis in Bahir-Dar; Ethiopia

A study was made in Bahir-Dar; North-Western Ethiopia; for a period of twelve months; to determine the incidence of Schistosomiasis mansoni. All children aged 10 years and younger in Dil Chibo and Teyima Elementary Schools were stool-examined by the formol-ether concentration technique at the beginning of the study to select schistosomiasis mansoni negative children for a later incidence study. Accordingly; 139 children in Dil Chibo and 104 children in Teyima were found negative and used for an incidence study. In the incidence surveys; the stool specimens were examined by the Kato method. The overall annual incidence rates for Dil Chibo and Teyima school children were 194/1000 and 382/1000 respectively. The rates obtained at the second survey were higher than the rates obtained at the first survey; 164/1000 and 36/1000; respectively; for Dil Chibo and 292/1000 and 77/1000; respectively; for Teyima schools. Males had a higher schistosomiasis incidence than females (P0.01). The incidence also appeared to vary with age. The value of incidence as a measure of transmission is discussed

Intestinal helminth infections at Zeghie; Ethiopia; with emphasis on schistosomiasis mansoni

A total of 460 stool specimens were examined by Kato thick smear technique to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni and other helminth infections among people living in Zeghie town; Northwest Ethiopia. The most prevalent infections were schistosomiasis; ascariasis; and trichuriasis. The infection rates among school children for Schistosoma mansoni; Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris triciura were 69.7 per cent; 77.7 per cent and 64.7 per cent; respectively. The respective infection rates of these helminths among the residents were 53.1 per cent; 60.6 per cent and 50 per cent. The prevalence of schistosomiasis appeared to be higher for males than for females. The high prevalence of infection observed for these helminths in the present study clearly indicates the need for timely control measures

Transmission of schistosoma mansoni in three ecological settings in Ethiopia : epidemiological aspects

The epidemiological indices of Schistosoma mansoni for three communities in Ethiopia; Jigga (Northwest); Metahara sugar estate (Southeast) and Lake Zway (Central); each representing the three major transmission ecologies in the country; the stream; irrigation scheme and lake; respectively were studied and compared. A total of 2897 people (913; 1614 and 370 from the stream; irrigation scheme and lake; respectively) was examined for S. mansoni ova by the Kato's smear method. The highest human prevalence (58 per cent) and intensity of infection (geometric mean of 450 EPG) were recorded for the lake ecology; whereas the irrigation scheme and stream showed moderate (218 EPG) and light (172 EPG) intensities of infection; despite fairly high disease prevalences of 20 per cent and 41 per cent respectively. Age-specific analysis of prevalence; intensity of infection and relative index of potential contamination (RIPC) indicated that children in their second decade of life to be most responsible. Nevertheless; the decline of all indices with increasing age was less obvious in the lake area than others. The disparity between prevalence and intensity of infection and their implication in disease control tactics are discussed

Enquête sanitaire de base sur les bilharzioses dans la zone d'amenagement hydro-agricole de Bagre Burkina Faso

Les auteurs ont mene une etude sur la prevalence des bilharzioses (schistosomiases) dans la region de Bagre; province du Boulgou (Burkina Faso) avant la mise en eau du barrage hydro-agricole. En aout 1991; ils ont effectue la recherche des oeufs de schistosoma haematobium chez 158 sujets et des oeufs de schistosoma mansoni chez 146 d'entre eux. Le taux de prevalence de la schistosomiase urinaire a ete de 36;7 pour cent. Ils n'ont pas trouve de schistosomiase intestinale. La protection malacologique effectuee en janvier 1992 a montre la presence de bulinus du groupe truncatus/tropicus; hotes intermediaires de la bilharziose urinaire et de planorbis du groupe pfeifferi; hotes intermediaires de la bilharziose intestinale. La presence du parasite et des hotes intermediaires des 2 formes de schistosomiase doivent faire craindre une extension de cette endemie avec les populations immigrantes; et imposer une surveillance epidemiologique continue

Hotes intermediaires et prevalence de la bilharziose au Burkina Faso

Parmi les nombreuses maladies d'origine hydrique; les bilharzioses ou schistosomiases representent actuellement la 2eme endemie mondiale derriere le paludisme avec 400 a 600 million de malades a travers le monde soit 1 homme sur 10. Au Burkina Faso; les taux de prevalence a l'echelle nationale ne sont jamais inferieures a 30 pour cent avec une decroissance progressive de l'infestation des populations du nord au sud du pays pour la bilharziose urinaire et du sud au nord pour la bilharziose intestinale. La repartition des hotes intermediaires resultant des prospections malacologiques semble correspondre aux zones ecologiques deja decrites au Burkina Faso par Guinko (1984); ainsi l'endemie bilharzienne qui en resulte se trouve en correlation avec les hotes intermediaires et le decoupage climatique du pays

Community based schistosomiasis control in Zimbabwe

The project was established to investigate the feasibility of a national schistosomiasis control programme in Zimbabwe based upon an intergrated approach. The project involved community self help sanitation and water programmes; health education; chemotherapy of school children with praziquantel; and focal mollusciciding. The project was carried out in two rural areas of Zimbabwe with a combined population of over 40;000 people. Madziwa (32;00 people) had all of the above interventions; and Bushu (8.000 people) had only the chemotherapy intervention. Infection with schistosomiasis was determined by the use of reagent strip examination for haematuria. This low cost method of diagnosis was found to be very appropriate and feasible for the examination of large numbers of children and the method was recommended for use in a national control programme. Pretreatment infection levels with schistosomiasis generally exceeded 60in both areas although there was considerable heterogenity in distribution