Low transmission areas of schistosomiasis in Venezuela: consequences on the diagnosis, treatment, and control
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
; 101(supl.1): 29-35, Oct. 2006.
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-441224
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
Schistosomiasis low transmission areas as Venezuela, can be defined as those where the vector exists, the prevalence of active cases is under 25 percent, individuals with mild intensity of infection predominate and are mostly asymptomatic. These areas are the consequence of effective control programs, however, "silent" epidemiological places are difficult to trace, avoiding the opportune diagnosis and treatment of infected persons. Clinic and abdominal ultrasound have not shown to discriminate infected from uninfected persons in areas where besides Schistosoma mansoni, intestinal parasites are the rule. Under these conditions, serology remains as a very valuable diagnostic tool, since it gives a closer approximation to the true prevalence. In this sense, circumoval precipitin test, ELISA-SEA with sodium metaperiodate, and alkaline phosphatase immunoassay joined to coprology allow the identification of the "schistosomiasis cases". In relation to public health, schistosomiasis has been underestimated by the sanitary authorities and the investment on its control is being transferred to other diseases of major social and political relevance neglecting sanitary efforts and allowing growth of snail population. Some strategies of diagnosis and control should be done before schistosomiasis reemergence occurs in low transmission areas.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
/
Neglected Diseases
Health problem:
Target 3.3: End transmission of communicable diseases
/
Helminthiasis
/
Neglected Diseases
/
Schistosomiasis
/
Zoonoses
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Schistosomiasis mansoni
/
National Health Programs
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Venezuela
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2006
Document type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
Venezuela
Institution/Affiliation country:
Escuela 'Luís Razetti'/VE
/
Universidad Central de Venezuela/VE