Epidemiological study of schistosomiasis japonica on liver and spleen with ultrasonographical assessment among inhabitants in Dongting Lake endemic areas / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the morbidity of schistosomiasis japonica and health status of the liver and spleen of residents in a village and to evaluate the application of ultrasound on schistosomiasis epidemiology. Methods A total of 454 residents aged 5-65 years were examined by methods of Kato-Katz and ultrasound as well as disease history inquiry. Results The positive rate was 9.38% by stool examination, with no significant difference between males and females. The intensity of the infection among population was 5.70 eggs per gram of stool (EPG), with significant difference between males and females. The stool positive rate and EPG in farmers and students were the highest. Among 10.66% of the males and 8.10% of the females, as well as in 23.81% of the stool positive and 8.31% of the stool negative, the parenchyma of the liver was abnormal(≥GradeⅡ),with significant difference between males and females and between the stool positive and the stool negative. The abnormal rate of liver parenchyma went up with the age. Conclusion Ultrasound can evaluate the health status of inhabitants with schistosomiasis japonica and improve the compliance rate of residents to praziquantel chemotherapy.