Influence of specific treatment on the morbidity of schistosomiasis mansoni in an endemic area of Minas Gerais, Brazil

RESUMO

The authors describe the evolution of schistosomiasis mansoni in inhabitants of Capitäo Andrade, Minas Gerais, Brazil, from 1973 to 1994. The prevalence of infection was 60.8 percent in 1973, 36.2 percent in 1984, and 27.3 percent in 1994. The evolution of the clinical forms of the disease in this group was as follows unchanged in 76.7 percent, clinical progression in 8.4 percent and clinical regression in 14.9 percent. The reduction of the prevalence and severity of Schistosoma mansoni infection over the 21 years period, can be attributed to treatment of infected subjects performed in the area and to the installation of piped water in their dwellings