The effect of praziquantel treatment on liver and spleen size of children with schistosomiasis in Napu Valley, central Sulawesi.

Forty-six school children with japonicum schistosomiasis living in a village at Napu Valley, Indonesia were treated with praziquantel at a dosage of 70 mg/kg in two divided doses in a day. The number of children with palpable liver dropped significantly from 95.6% before treatment to 58.7% after treatment. The size of the liver was reduced in the majority of cases with a virtual disappearance of cases with very large liver (10 cm). Post-treatment increase of the liver size was observed in all 8 cases with small pre-treatment livers (0.5-1 cm). In contrast to the changes of the size of the liver after treatment, the number of children with palpable spleens before and after treatment was not significantly altered.

The impact of schistosomiasis mass treatment on hepato-splenomegaly in Napu Valley, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The impact of mass treatment with praziquantel on 241 individuals, 131 males and 110 females in Napu Valley, Indonesia was studied. The pre-treatment overall stool positive cases ranged from 43% to 79%, the highest in the 20-29 age group. Post-treatment follow-up study showed that the cases dropped to 2.5%. Significant reduction was seen in liver rate from 68% to 51% and in the age groups 0-9, 10-19, there was a significant decrease in liver enlargement after treatment, but not significant differences were seen in spleen rate in all age groups. This might be due to the early stage of Schistosoma infection in younger age groups where complete resolution of fibrosis might occur.

A schistosomiasis pilot control project in Lindu valley, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

This pilot control project was an intervention study, consisting of: 1) treating the positive cases with Niridazole; 2) spraying the foci with Niclosamide; 3) improving the water supply system and construction of public latrines. The intervention not only has lowered the human prevalence rate, but has also lowered the transmission of the disease in that area. Niridazole appeared relatively safe and effective, the cure rate after one year was 80%. Spraying the foci with Niclosamide 20-40 mg per litre did not appear very effective. Using this epidemiological data it was estimated that infected persons would become spontaneously negative after 4.75 years, if there was no reinfection.

Malayan filariasis in Central Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia.

Seven villages in Central Sulawesi were surveyed in September 1971 and finger blood samples from 3,658 persons examined for microfilariae. Periodic, nocturnal Brugia malayi was endemic in all seven villages with microfilarial rates (Mf-rate) of 10-42% (av. 25%). The median microfilarial density (MfD50) averaged 5.4 and varied from 0.8 to 9.4 microfilariae per 20 microliter of blood. Males had higher Mf-rate and MfD50 value than females and in males Mf-rates and MfD50 values increased with age. In the female population, however, neither Mf-rates or MfD50 values varied significantly with age. Clinical manifestations of filariasis were found in 12% of 2,412 persons examined and only 2% had elephantiasis. Clinical signs of disease with the exception of elephantiasis, showed good correlations with Mf-rates but not with MfD50 values. Transmigrants experienced clinical manifestations of filariasis earlier and more often than the indigenous population.

Intestinal and blood parasites in the Banggai Kabupaten, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

A survey for blood and intestinal parasites was carried out in the Banggai Kabupaten Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. A total of 336, stool specimens were obtained from 182 males and 154 females ranging in age from 2 to 90 years. Hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides were the most common helminths encountered. Schistosoma japonicum was noticeably absent in the population sampled. The following intestingl protozoa were detected: Entamoeba coli, E.histolytica, Iodamoeba bütschlii, Giardia lamblia, Chilomostix mesnili and Endolimax nana. A total of 650 blood smears were examined and both Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax were found in 5 % of the populations sampled. In addition, Brugia malayi microfilariae were detected in 3% of the blood smears examined.

Intestinal and blood parasites in the North Lore District, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Over 1,000 stool specimens from residents of the Napu and Besoa Valleys, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia were examined. Schistosoma japonicum was detected in 31% of Napu Valley residents while in only 2% of the Besoa Valley residents. Hookworm infections were the most frequently encountered helminth parasitisms in both valleys. Other helminth parasites encountered were: Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, Strongyloides stercoralis, Physaloptera sp., Diphyllobothrium sp., echinostome and heterophyid trematodes. Intestinal protozoa endemic to the area were: Entamoeba histolytica, E. coli, E. hartmanni, Iodamoebe bütschlii, Giardia lamblia, Chilomastix mesnili and Trichomonas hominis. Plasmodium falciparum was responsible for malaria parasitaemias in 5% of 1353 specimens examined and Brugia malayi microfilaraemias were detected in 10% of 972 specimens examined.

Drug trial of Schistosoma japonicum enfection in Indonesia.

A limited drug trial was carried out on 42 cases with schistosomiasis japonica from an endemic area of Central Sulawesi. The drugs used were niridazole and stibophen. The effects of treatment were reported and discussed. The results of this study offer promise for treating S. japonicum infection in Central Sulawesi on a larger scale.

Parasitology survey in the Palu Valley, central Sulawesi (Celebes), Indonesia.

A survey was undertaken in the Palu Valley, Central Sulasesi to determine whether schisto somiasis japonica was endemic in the area and to determine the prevalences rates of intestinal and blood parasites. Seven villages along the Palu River drainage system with an estimated popualtion of 18,700 were surveyed and 2,433 stools, 3,651 blood smears and 1,167 sera were collected and examined.

Distribution of Oncomelania hupensis in the Napu Valley of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Fifteen colonies of Oncomelania hupensis were found near trails transecting the North Lore District, Napu Valley, Central Sulawesi. Habitats were in abandoned rice fields, uncultivated grazing areas for livestock, roadside ditches and, in one case, an actively worked rice field. Marsh grasses, Ischaemum barbatum and Laersia hexandra, were the most common plants in oncomelanid habitats. Other mollusks found in association with O. hupensis were Radix sp., Melanoides sp., Gyraulus sp., Idiopoma sp., Thiara sp., Opeas sp. and Indopyrgus sp. in that order of frequency. Schistosoma japonicum cercariae, as determined by mouse exposures, were shed from snails collected at four foci. In Sulawesi, O. hupensis and S. japonicum were found in high mountain valleys near, or above, 1,000 meters in elevation. Oncomelania hupensis, however, were not found in what appeared to be suitable habitats at lower elevations in the same drainage systems.