Clinical study of Indonesian schistosomiasis at Lindu lake area, Central Sulawesi.

ABSTRACT

A brief report on the clinical studies of schistosomiasis japonica at Langko village in the Lindu lake area was given. The studies consisted of stool surveys, COPT, evaluation of the signs and symptoms of schistosomiasis, determination of the liver and spleen enlargement as well as the disease index and the clinical gradient. It seemed that the stool examinations as well as the COPT were considered sufficient, accurate and practical for mass surveys. The result of evaluation of the signs and symptoms of schistosomiasis at Lindu lake area showed that dermatitis, dysentry, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, shortness of breath, distension of the abdomen, melena, icterus, and hepatomegaly were found to be significantly different between the schistosomiasis group and the control group. This finding was almost similar to the findings reported by Billings et al. (1946) and Pesigan et al. (1958), only the frequencies of occurrence were different. The clinical gradient of schistosomiasis at Lindu lake area was mostly of the mild type of the disease.