Epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic features of histoplasmosis: A systematic review.

Histoplasmosis is a mycosis due to a dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. This study aimed at providing an overview of histoplasmosis epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects from the last 30 years. This review was carried out using a systematic literature search on histoplasmosis from 1992 to 2021. We describe the clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment. Empirical searches were conducted via the databases PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct. Between 1992 and 2021, 190 manuscripts were published and reported 212 cases of histoplasmosis. These publications included 115 and 97 cases of American and African histoplasmosis respectively. The number of publications increased over the last ten years with a maximum in 2020 (12.34 % of the cases reported). The disseminated forms of histoplasmosis were the most frequently reported cases as compared to the localized forms. This was the case with the American histoplasmosis (75.65 %) as well as with the African histoplasmosis (55.67 %). Itraconazole (31.17 %) and Amphotericin B (26.62 %) were the most used drugs in the management of these cases. American histoplasmosis is distributed worldwide whereas African histoplasmosis is mainly present in intertropical Africa. There is a critical need for setting up a global surveillance system, towards a better understanding of the disease.

Schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso: review on 60 years' research.

Schistosomiasis is a common neglected helminthic disease in the tropics and sub-tropics particularly in sub-Saharan countries including Burkina Faso. It is the second world parasitic endemic disease after malaria. The two prevalent species infecting human in Burkina Faso are are Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni which cause respectively the urogenital schistosomiasis and the intestinal schistosomiasis. This review aimed at providing an historical perspective of research on schistosomiasis from 1960 to 2020 and shedding some light on the gaps in knowledge useful for the disease control and the elimination efforts in Burkina Faso. Formal systematic review was not followed for this review. Published studies on the schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso over the period from 1960 to 2020, were search in Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and the libraries of main universities in Burkina Faso namely: Joseph KI-ZERBO University and Nazi BONI University. The following key words used were: Schistosomiasis, Bilharzia, Bulinus, Biomphalaria, Upper-Volta and Burkina Faso. Over a period of 60 years, a total of 87 scientific research documents were identified. The original scientific research articles represent the majority of the scientific documents found (65.52%). Urinary schistosomiasis was the most common from the documentation. There has been a gradual decrease in the prevalence, more significantly since the implementation of the National Schistosomiasis Control Program (NSCP). The effectiveness of the NSCP could therefore contribute to the elimination of schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso.

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women, in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

BACKGROUND: Because infections with Schistosoma Haematobium usually peak in childhood, the majority of studies on schistosomiasis have focused on school-aged children. This study aimed to assess the epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women in Burkina Faso, West Africa. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a mesoendemic region (Kombissiri) and a hyperendemic region (Dori) for schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso. A total of 287 females aged 5 to 50 years were included in the study. S. haematobium infection was assessed using the urine filtration method and dipsticks were used for the detection of hematuria. Interviews were conducted to identify clinical aspects and risk factors related to urogenital schistosomiasis. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of S. haematobium infection in Dori was 21.3 %, where as Kombissiri was less affected with a prevalence of 4.6 %. The most affected age group was the 10- to 14-year-olds (41.2 %), followed by the 15- to 19-year-olds (26.3 %). Risk factors significantly associated with schistosomiasis (P <0.05) were place of residence, age, contact with open water in the past year, and distance of home to open water. The percentage of participants who had contact with open water was significantly higher among the women living in Dori compared to Kombissiri. Females over 15 years of age showed a significant higher rate of water contact compared to the 5- to 15-year-olds. A significant correlation between schistosomiasis and hematuria was established. Microhematuria showed a sensitivity of 80.6 %, a specificity of 92.7 %, and a positive predictive value of 61.7 %, whereas macrohematuria had a sensitivity of 47.2 %, a specificity of 99.2 %, and a positive predictive value of 89.5 %. The mass distribution of praziquantel in Burkina Faso is well established. However, over half of the participants with schistosomiasis in this study said they took praziquantel in the past 6 months, which indicates a high reinfection rate. This may be associated with a lack of knowledge about the transmission of schistosomiasis. Only 6 % of the participants in Kombissiri and 1.5 % in Dori knew about the correct mode of transmission. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that distribution campaigns should be extended from school-aged children to young women. Our data also demonstrate the necessity of combining already established mass distribution campaigns with information campaigns, so that long-term elimination, or at least reduction, of schistosomiasis can be achieved.