Renal related disorders in concomitant Schistosoma haematobium-plasmodium falciparum infection among children in a rural community of Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Schistosomiasis and malaria are two common parasitic diseases that are co-endemic in resource-poor communities of sub-Saharan Africa. This study aims to assess the effects of single and concomitant Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma haematobium infections on two indicators of renal injury in school children in a rural community of Nigeria. A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was carried out on a total of 173 schoolchildren between ages 6 and 18 years [mean age 11.4 +/- 2.6 years]. Urine and blood samples were collected by standard methods for concurrent microscopic diagnosis of S. haematobium and P. falciparum infections. Urinary blood [hematuria] and protein were determined using a urinalysis dipstick. The prevalence of single infections was 75.1% and 78.2% for S. haematobium and P. falciparum, respectively. A total of 57.1% individuals were infected with the two parasites. The prevalence of hematuria was significantly higher in the co-infection status [63.8%] than in single S. haematobium [52.2%] and P. falciparum [43.7%] infection statuses [p=0.04], while no significant variation was recorded in proteinuria in the three infection statuses [p=0.53]. The proportion of children with renal injury associated with the co-infection of these parasites is very high, particularly in young children, who seem to have a higher prevalence of hematuria