Prevalence and co-infections of schistosomiasis/hepatitis B and C viruses among school children in an endemic areas in Taiz, Yemen

OBJECTIVE@#To determine the disease prevalence and its relationship with hepatitis B and C viruses among school children in five endemic areas by schistosomiasis.@*METHODS@#During June 2007 and March 2009, 1 484 school children aged between 5 - 16 years participated in the current study from 32 basic schools in five districts (Al-Dhabab, Hedran, Warazan, Al-Barh and Al-Shmaytin) in Taiz Governorate, Republic of Yemen. Out of school children who participated in the study; 1 406 stool samples, 1 484 urine samples and 214 blood samples were collected and examined.@*RESULTS@#Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) was found in all the studied areas except Al-Barh. However, Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) was recorded only in Al-Shmaytin and Al-Barh. Both S. mansoni and S. haematobium were observed in Al-Shmaytin district. The overall prevalence was 20.76% for S. mansoni and 7.41% for S. haematobium. The prevalence rate of infection among males was higher than females, showing no significant differences. Rate of light, moderate and heavy infections in the case of S. mansoni were 41.78%, 25.34% and 32.87% respectively. Whereas, for S. hematobium it was 50.90% for light infection and 49.09% for heavy infection. Regarding to the prevalence of viral hepatitis among infected school children with schistosomiasis, it could be noticed that hepatitis B virus was higher than the prevalence of hepatitis C virus. But, the presence of HBsAg and anti-HCV was not associated with Schistosoma infection.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Schistosomiasis infection is an important public health problem in Taiz Governorate, Republic of Yemen. There was a correlation between S. haematobium and hepatitis B, but no association between S. mansoni infections and hepatitis B and C viruses.

Monitoring fresh water contamination with parasites in Taiz, Yemen

This study was conducted during the period of October 2003 to May 2004, in Taiz city and different rural regions of Taiz Governorate, Republic of Yemen. The objective of this work was to detect contamination of fresh water sourced with parasites, 145 Fresh water samples were collected from washing and drinking water sources, and investigated for the presence of parasites, Water samples were filtered, concentrated by centrifugation and examined microscopically. The highest prevalence was 59/145 [40.7%], at Al-Maafer area 12/16 [75%] and Warazan, Al-Dhabab and Saber area was 31/50 [62%]. Most water sampoles were positive for Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, E. coli, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Schistosma sp. And Trichuris trichiura. The lower prevalence found with Hymenolepis nana, while Taenia saginata, Enterobius vermicularis and Ancylostoma doudenale were found in lowest frequencies. These results clearly indicate that most fresh water sources in Taiz Governorate were contaminated with protozoan and helminthes parasites