Schistosomiasis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease that causes serious harms to humans and animals.Surveillance and diagnosis play key roles in schistosomiasis control,however,current techniques for surveillan...Schistosomiasis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease that causes serious harms to humans and animals.Surveillance and diagnosis play key roles in schistosomiasis control,however,current techniques for surveillance and diagnosis of the disease have limitations.As genome data for parasites are increasing,novel techniques for detection incorporating nucleotide sequences are receiving widespread attention.These sensitive,specific,and rapid detection methods are particularly important in the diagnosis of low-grade and early infections,and may prove to have clinical significance.This paper reviews the progress of nucleic acid detection in the diagnosis and prevention of schistosomiasis,including such aspects as the selection of target genes,and development and application of nucleic acid detection methods.展开更多
Objective:Malaria remains the single leading killer of children in sub - Sahara Africa and Schistosomiasis is considered to be second to malaria in global importance.Co - infection of malaria and urinary schistosomias...Objective:Malaria remains the single leading killer of children in sub - Sahara Africa and Schistosomiasis is considered to be second to malaria in global importance.Co - infection of malaria and urinary schistosomiasis has been reported to exacerbate disease morbidity such as anaemia.In different part of the globe,the co - infection between malaria and schistosomiasis provides some protections on the infected persons.The protective effect of this co - infection elucidated immunologically using cytokines is lacking in our locality.Methods:Urine and blood samples obtained from the 160 volunteers were subjected to standard parasitological techniques for diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis and malaria respectively.Blood samples collected from these volunteers comprising 80 children with schistosomiasis and malaria and the 80 children who had malaria only were subjected to cytokines concentration determination using commercial standard enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits(Abeam,UK).Results:Eighty participants with co - infection had a mean malarial parasitaemia of 662±201.1μL while the 80 participants with only P.falciparum malaria had a mean malarial parasiteamia of 5943±3270.7μL.Also the volunteers had mean haemoglobin of 11.2 g/dL for co - infected individuals and 5.7 g/dL for participants with single infection of malaria.The serum cytokine levels of the children with S. haematobium and P.falciparum and only P.falciparum infection are as follows;interleukin - 4(16.6 pg/ mL versus 5.2 pg/mL),IL - 5(501.3 pg/mL versus 357.5 pg/mL);IL -8(2 550 pg/mL versus 309 pg/mL),IL - 10(273 pg/mL versus 290 pg/mL),TNF -α(25 pg/mL versus 290 pg/mL) and IFN -γ(21.9 pg/mL versus 2.5 pg/mL).The TNF -α/IL - 10 ratio is 7 for the children with co - infection while those with only P.falciparum malaria infection had a TNF -α/IL - 10 ratio of 0.9.Conclusion:We conclude that the elevated IL - 4,IL - 5,IL - 8 and IFN -γconcentration induced by schistosomiasis altered the Th1/Th 2 profile and protected the children against the m展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the immunodiagnostic potential of crude Fasciola gigantica-worm(FWA)and egg antigen(FEA)in detecting anti-Schistosoma(S.)haematobium antibodies in sera and urine samples.Methods:This is a cross-s...Objective:To evaluate the immunodiagnostic potential of crude Fasciola gigantica-worm(FWA)and egg antigen(FEA)in detecting anti-Schistosoma(S.)haematobium antibodies in sera and urine samples.Methods:This is a cross-sectional diagnostic study.Employing an indirect ELISA,antibodies against these antigens were assessed in samples from infected and non-infected individuals in both schistosomiasis endemic(NE)and non-endemic(NNE)areas,using microscopy as the diagnostic standard.Results:FWA-sera exhibited excellent diagnostic accuracy with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.957,a sensitivity of 93.75%,and a specificity of 85.42%for discriminating between infected and non-infected individuals in non-endemic areas.FWA-urine also demonstrated robust performance,achieving AUC>0.95,sensitivity>97.0%,and specificity>85.0%in both NE and NNE categories.Notably,S.haematobium-specific antibody levels against FWA were significantly elevated in infected individuals in both endemic and non-endemic areas.FEA-sera exhibited outstanding diagnostic performance with sensitivity exceeding 90%and an AUC of 0.968 in non-endemic samples but not in FEA-urine.Conclusions:FWA-based ELISAs,applicable to both sera and urine,emerge as promising tools for S.haematobium diagnosis in resource-limited settings,offering advantages of high sensitivity and specificity with shared antigens with Fasciola.The superior diagnostic metrics of urine samples suggest their potential as a non-invasive biological sample for diagnostic purposes.展开更多
Background:The crater lakes of Barombi Mbo and Barombi Kotto are well-known transmission foci of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis having had several important control initiatives previously.To collec...Background:The crater lakes of Barombi Mbo and Barombi Kotto are well-known transmission foci of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis having had several important control initiatives previously.To collect contemporary epidemiological information,a cross-sectional survey was undertaken inclusive of:signs and symptoms of disease,individual treatment histories,local water,sanitation and hygiene(WASH)-related factors and malacological surveillance,with molecular characterisation of specimens.Methods:At each lake,a community cross-sectional survey was undertaken using a combination of stool and urine parasitological sampling,and interview with pro-forma questionnaires.A total of 338 children and adults participated.Material from snail and parasite species were characterised by DNA methods.Results:Egg-patent prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was 8.7%at Barombi Mbo(all light-intensity infections)and 40.1%at Barombi Kotto(21.2%heavy-intensity infections).Intestinal schistosomiasis was absent.At Barombi Kotto,significantly more women reported signs and symptoms associated with female genital schistosomiasis.While there had been extensive recent improvement in WASH-related infrastructure at Barombi Mbo,water contact risk scores were higher among schistosomiasis-infected participants(P<0.001)and at Barombi Kotto in general(P<0.001).Across both lakes,mean prevalence of STH was very low(6.3%)evidencing an impressive decrease of 79.0%over the last decade;neither Strongyloides stercoralis nor Ascaris lumbricoides were found.A total of 29 freshwater sampling sites were inspected for snails,13 in Barombi Mbo and 16 in Barombi Kotto;water chemistry differed significantly(P<0.0001)between lakes for both mean pH(7.9 v.9.6)and mean conductivity(64.3μS v.202.1μS)respectively.Only two Bulinus camerunensis found on the central island of Barombi Kotto were observed to shed schistosome cercariae,but schistosome DNA was later detected in Bulinus sampled from both lakes as well as in Indoplanorbis exustus,an invasive 展开更多
Due to limited resources and experience, rapid diagnostic techniques are advocated in nations with a resource shortage when diagnosing schistosomiasis. We used rapid diagnostic tests to access the prevalence and inten...Due to limited resources and experience, rapid diagnostic techniques are advocated in nations with a resource shortage when diagnosing schistosomiasis. We used rapid diagnostic tests to access the prevalence and intensity of schistosome infection in North Central, Nigeria. A total of 1951 participants were recruited for this study. The participants were screened for S. haematobium infection;haematuria and proteinuria were monitored in the recruited patients with a commercial reagent strip. Of the 1951 participants recruited for the study, 587 were found to be infected. Children aged 0 to 10 years showed the highest levels of haematuria with (100%) specificity. Meanwhile, other age groups (11 - 20, 21 - 30, 31 - 40 and above 40 years) had rates higher than 90%. The degree of haematuria increased with egg intensity. The same was seen in proteinuria, with a percentage of 41.9%. A significant difference (p S. haematobium in rural endemic areas.展开更多
Various kinds of organisms, including viruses, bacteria, trematodes and fungi are known carcinogens that cause cancer. Infectious identification related to cancer may lead to better treatment for both the prevention a...Various kinds of organisms, including viruses, bacteria, trematodes and fungi are known carcinogens that cause cancer. Infectious identification related to cancer may lead to better treatment for both the prevention and targeting of cancer therapy. Although nearly 20% of all cancers are caused by an infection of a microbe, the amount of evidence and information regarding the mechanisms associated with oncogenesis varies dramatically from one organism to the next. This review cannot be exhaustive because we are not aware of all infections worldwide in addition to their potential mechanisms for oncogenesis. More research is required for all of the species mentioned in this review.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the effect of pre-existing Schistosoma haematobium(S. haematobium) infection on malaria disease severity.Methods: The study involved the use of twenty-i ve imprinting control region mice, i f...Objective: To investigate the effect of pre-existing Schistosoma haematobium(S. haematobium) infection on malaria disease severity.Methods: The study involved the use of twenty-i ve imprinting control region mice, i fteen of which were initially infected with S. haematobium. Five of the remaining ten schistouninfected mice together with i ve schisto-infected mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei(P. berghei) after four weeks(acute stage) of schistosoma infection. The remaining i ve schisto-uninfected mice together with i ve schisto-infected mice were also infected with P. berghei after seven weeks(chronic stage) of schistosoma infection. The last i ve schistoinfected mice were used as control group. They were then monitored for changes in P. berghei parasitaemia on Days 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 post-infection. Records on their survivability were also taken.Results: The co-infected mice had signii cantly higher malaria parasitaemia, compared with the mono-infected mice during acute S. haematobium infection. In contrast, the co-infected mice had signii cantly lower malaria parasitaemia during chronic S. haematobium infection and a higher survival rate.Conclusions: Co-infection of mice with P. berghei during acute S. haematobium infection resulted in rapid P. berghei development and increased malaria parasitaemia. However, the co-infection resulted in slower P. berghei development and decreased malaria parasitaemia with enhanced survivability of the mice during chronic S. haematobium infection. Therefore, pre-existing chronic S. haematobium infection may provide some protection to the host by reducing parasitaemia.展开更多
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of the tropics which is estimated to affect up to 300 million people worldwide. While it is being successfully controlled in many countries, it remains a major public health prob...Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of the tropics which is estimated to affect up to 300 million people worldwide. While it is being successfully controlled in many countries, it remains a major public health problem, especially in developing countries including Ghana. Extensive work on schistosomiasis has been undertaken along theVoltaRiverbasin, leaving very little data and information on this infection in the urban and peri-urban areas inGhana. This study was aimed at determining the urinary schistosomiasis burden among children of school going age within Zenu, a suburb of the capital city. Urine samples were taken from 274 school children within the Zenu community and examined with urine chemistry dipsticks for detection and confirmation of haematuria, followed by microscopy for detection of Schistosoma haematobium ova. Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 30.7% (95% CI: 25.2-36.2). 44 (52%) of the positive samples were collected from males whiles 40 (48%) were collected from females, but prevalence of the infection was not significantly associated with gender (χ2 = 0.041, DF = 1, P-Value = 0.839). Among the S. haematobium positive children, haematuria was detected by the dipstick in 88.1% (74/84, 95% CI: 81.2- 95.0), but it was not detected in 11.9% (10/84, 95% CI: 5.0-18.8). Meanwhile, the dipstick detected haematuria in 7.3% (20/274, 95% CI: 4.3-7.3) of the total population but microscopy could not detect the presence of Schistosoma ova in those children. An association was found between Schistosoma infection and haematuria detected by dipstick (χ2 = 84.715, DF = 1,展开更多
The effects of sublethal concentrations of methanol extract of sesbania sesban plant on survival rate, egg laying of Bulinus truncatus snails, hatchability of their eggs, infection rate with Schistosoma haemato- bium ...The effects of sublethal concentrations of methanol extract of sesbania sesban plant on survival rate, egg laying of Bulinus truncatus snails, hatchability of their eggs, infection rate with Schistosoma haemato- bium miracidia, cercarial production and certain physiological parameters of treated snails were stu- died. The sublethal concentrations of the tested plant extract (LC0, LC10 and LC25) caused considerable reduction in survival rates;egg production of B. runcates snails;hatchability of eggs as well as in the infectivity of Schistosoma haematobium miracidia to the snail. Also, the tested concentrations reduced the cercarial production per snail and the period of cer-carial shedding. The glucose level in haemolymph of exposed snails was elevated while the glycogen, pro-tein content and the activities of hexokinase (HK), pyruvatekinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) showed a decrease in soft tissues when compared with the control group. It was concluded that the app lication of sublethal concentration of methanol ex- tracts of Sesania sesban may be helpful in snail con- trol as it interferes with the snails’ biology and phy- siology.展开更多
Background:Despite its low cure rates and possible resistance,praziquantel(PZQ)is the only drug available for schistosomiasis treatment.Hence,monitoring its efficacy is crucial.This study assessed the efficacy of PZQ,...Background:Despite its low cure rates and possible resistance,praziquantel(PZQ)is the only drug available for schistosomiasis treatment.Hence,monitoring its efficacy is crucial.This study assessed the efficacy of PZQ,determined re-infection and incidence rates of Schistosoma haematobium infection among school-going children in the Ndumo area,KwaZulu-Natal.Methods:A cohort of 320 school-going children(10-15 years)in 10 primary schools was screened for S.haematobium infection using the filtration technique.Infected children were treated at different times and hence were divided into two sub-cohorts;A1 and A2.Non-infected children constituted the sub-cohort B.Children who continued excreting viable eggs 4 weeks post-treatment received a second dose of PZQ.Re-infection rates were determined in sub-cohort A1 and A2 at 28 and 20 weeks post-treatment,respectively.Cure rates(CR)and egg reduction rates(ERR)were calculated.Incidence rate was assessed 28 weeks post baseline survey using children that were negative for schistosome eggs at that survey.Analysis of data was done using the Chi square and the Wilcoxon rank test.A 95%confidence interval with a P-value<0.05 determined significance.Results:At baseline,120(37.5%)of the 320 study participants were found infected with Schistosoma haematobium.Heavy infections accounted for 36.7%.The calculated cure rates were 88.07%and 82.92%for females and males,respectively.Egg Reduction Rates of 80%and 64%for females and males were observed 4 weeks after the initial treatment.After the second treatment,CR was 100%in females and 50%in males with an ERR of 100%in females and 70%in males.At 20 and 28 weeks post treatment,reinfection rates of 8.03%and 8.00%were observed,respectively,giving an overall rate of 8.1%.An incidence rate of 4.1%was observed 28 weeks after the baseline screening.Conclusions:The study indicated high CR while the ERR was low suggesting a reduced PZQ efficacy.The efficacy improved among females after the second dose.Re-infection rates at 20 and 28 weeks posttreatme展开更多
Background:The speedy rate of change in the environmental and socio-economics factors may increase the incidence,prevalence and risk of schistosomiasis infections in Zambia.However,available information does not provi...Background:The speedy rate of change in the environmental and socio-economics factors may increase the incidence,prevalence and risk of schistosomiasis infections in Zambia.However,available information does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the biogeography and distribution of the disease,ecology and population dynamics of intermediate host snails.The current study used an information-theoretical approach to understand the biogeography and prevalence schistosomiasis and identified knowledge gaps that would be useful to improve policy towards surveillance and eradication of intermediate hosts snails in Zambia.Methods:To summarise the existing knowledge and build on past and present experiences of schistosomiasis epidemiology for effective disease control in Zambia,a systematic search of literature for the period 2000-2017 was done on PubMed,Google Scholar and EBSCOhost.Using the key words:‘Schistosomiasis’,‘Biomphalaria’,‘Bulinus’,‘Schistosoma mansoni’,‘Schistosoma haematobium’,and‘Zambia’,in combination with Booleans terms‘AND’and‘OR’,published reports/papers were obtained and reviewed independently for inclusion.Results:Thirteen papers published in English that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected for the final review.The papers suggest that the risk of infection has increased over the years and this has been attributed to environmental,socio-economic and demographic factors.Furthermore,schistosomiasis is endemic in many parts of the country with infection due to Schistosoma haematobium being more prevalent than that due to S.mansoni.This review also found that S.haematobium was linked to genital lesions,thus increasing risks of contracting other diseases such as HIV and cervical cancer.Conclusions:For both S.haematobium and S.mansoni,environmental,socio-economic,and demographic factors were influential in the transmission and prevalence of the disease and highlight the need for detailed knowledge on ecological modelling and mapping the distribution of the di展开更多
Background:Given that increase in temperature may alter host-parasite relationships,the anticipated rise in temperature due to global warming might change transmission patterns of certain diseases.However,the extent t...Background:Given that increase in temperature may alter host-parasite relationships,the anticipated rise in temperature due to global warming might change transmission patterns of certain diseases.However,the extent to which this will happen is not well understood.Methods:Using a host-parasite system involving Bulinus globosus and Schistosoma haematobium,we assessed the effect of temperature on snail fecundity,growth,survival and parasite development under laboratory conditions.Results:Our results show that temperature may have a non-linear effect on snail fecundity and snail growth.Snails maintained at 15.5℃ and 36.0℃ did not produce egg masses while those maintained at 25.8℃ laid 344 and 105 more egg masses than snails at 31.0℃ and 21.2℃,respectively.Attainment of patency led to a reduction in egg mass production among the snails.However,the reduction in fecundity for snails maintained at 21.2℃ occurred before snails started shedding cercariae.Parasite development was accelerated at high temperatures with snails maintained at 31.0℃ reaching patency after three weeks.Furthermore,snail growth rate was highest at 25.8℃ while it was inhibited at 15.5℃ and reduced at 31.0℃.Increase in temperature increased snail mortality rates.Snails maintained at 36.0℃ had the shortest survival time while those maintained at 15.5℃ had the longest survival time.Conclusions:We concluded that temperature influences fecunxdity,growth,survival and parasite development in the snail and thus dictates the time it takes the parasite to complete the life cycle.This has implications on transmission of schistosomiasis in the context of global warming.展开更多
Background:Schistosomiasis is a serious public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa.Praziquantel is the only drug recommended by the World Health Organization to treat both urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis.The...Background:Schistosomiasis is a serious public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa.Praziquantel is the only drug recommended by the World Health Organization to treat both urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis.The reliance on a single drug to treat a disease with such a huge burden has raised concerns of possible drug resistance mainly in endemic areas.This systematic review was conducted to identify gaps and recent progress on the efficacy of different regimens of praziquantel in treating schistosomiasis among children in sub-Saharan Africa where Schistosoma mansoni and S.haematobium are endemic.Main text:A literature search of peer-reviewed journals was done on Google Scholar,MEDLINE(under EBSCOhost)and PubMed databases using pre-defined search terms and Boolean operators.The search included studies published from 2008 to 2017(August)with emphasis on the efficacy of praziquantel on S.haematobium and S.mansoni infections among preschool and school children.Nineteen publications satisfied the inclusion criteria for the review.The studies reviewed were from 10 sub-Saharan African countries and 7/19 of the studies(37%)were conducted in Uganda.Seven studies(37%)focused on Schistosoma mansoni,6/19(31.5%)on S.haematobium and another 6 on mixed infection.A single standard dose of 40 mg/kg body weight was the most used regimen(9)followed by the repeated single standard dose assessed for efficacy at 3-4 weeks post-treatment.Conclusions:A repeated standard dose of 40 mg/kg achieved satisfactory efficacy compared to a single dose against both parasite species.However,findings on efficacy of repeated doses in co-infection of S.mansoni and S.haematobium were not conclusive.Praziquantel administrated at 60 mg/kg was slightly more efficacious than the 40 mg/kg standard dose.Minor and transitory side-effects were reported for both regimens.The review indicates that further investigations are necessary to conclusively determine efficacy of praziquantel on coinfection of S.haematobium and S.mansoni to formulate concrete guide展开更多
Background Researching a water-borne disease in the middle of the Sahara desert might not seem the most relevant concern.However,nomadic Sahelian pastoralists health concerns regarding their livestock and anecdotal re...Background Researching a water-borne disease in the middle of the Sahara desert might not seem the most relevant concern.However,nomadic Sahelian pastoralists health concerns regarding their livestock and anecdotal reports about trematode infections of Fasciola spp.and Schistosoma spp.in desert-raised animals justified an exploratory study focusing on the lakes of Ounianga in Northern Chad.The aim was to test whether trematode parasites such as Schistosoma spp.occur in human populations living around the Sahara desert lakes of Ounianga Kebir and Ounianga Serir in northern Chad.Methods The study was carried out in January 2019 and comprised of three components.First,a cross sectional survey based on a random sample drawn from the population to detect infections with S.haematobium and S.mansoni;second,focus group discussions exploring disease priorities,access to health and health seeking behaviour;and third,surveying water contact sites for intermediate host snails.Samples of trematode parasites and snails were confirmed on species level by molecular genetic methods.For parasitological and malacological surveys descriptive statistics were performed.Qualitative data analysis included the full review of all transcripts,followed by a descriptive and explorative thematic analysis.Results Among 258 participants,the overall S.haematobium prevalence using urine filtration was 39.2%[95%confidence interval(CI):33.5–45.1%],with 51.5%of the infected suffering from heavy infection.The intermediate host snail of S.haematobium(Bulinus truncatus)occurred at water contact sites near both study villages,revealing the potential for local transmission.Although a positive S.mansoni point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen(POC-CCA)test result was obtained from 8.6%(95%CI 5.7–12.8%)of the samples,no intermediate host snails of S.mansoni were found,and the relevance of S.mansoni remains uncertain.Qualitative findings underline the importance of morbidity caused by urinary schistosomiasis,and the lack of access to diagnostics and t展开更多
Background:Despite the ubiquity of polyparasitism,its health impacts have been inadequately studied.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium...Background:Despite the ubiquity of polyparasitism,its health impacts have been inadequately studied.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium,Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths(STH)following sustained control measures,as well as evaluate the outcomes and clinical correlates of infection in school-aged children(SAC)living in the schistosomiasis endemic focus of Muyuka-Cameroon.Methods:In a cross-sectional study,urine,blood and stool samples were each collected from SAC(4-14 years)selected at random between March and June 2015.Microhaematuria in urine was detected using reagent strip and 5.haematobium ova by filtration/microscopy methods.Plasmodium was detected using Giemsa-stained blood films and complete blood count was obtained using an auto-haematology analyser.STH in stool was detected by the Kato-Katz method.Categorical and continuous variables were compared as required,Kappa value estimated and the adjusted odds ratio(aOR)in the multivariate analysis was used to evaluate association of the risk factors with infection.展开更多
A study has been conducted to determine the impact of climate variability on Schistosoma haematobium infection among patients and school children in Sunyani between 2006 and 2009. Urine samples from the subjects were ...A study has been conducted to determine the impact of climate variability on Schistosoma haematobium infection among patients and school children in Sunyani between 2006 and 2009. Urine samples from the subjects were collected and examined in the laboratory using the Filteration technique for the detection and quantification ofSchistosoma haematobium eggs. The prevalence rate of urinary schistosomiasis at the Sunyani Regional Hospital for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 were found to be 0.24%, 0.55%, 0.55% and 0.75% respectively while that for Methodist Junior High School in 2008 and 2009 were 60.1% and 60.3% respectively. A decrease in the relative humidity and average annual rainfall were identified as factors contributory to the increase in urinary schistosomiasis prevalence rate. The temperature values obtained throughout the study period did not have any significant effect on the prevalence rate. The temperature values, however, were those that enhanced cercarial incubation （15-35 ℃） with a resultant increase in shedding of cercariae leading to more infections among water contacts. The infection rate due to the stream Amama was 20.1%, while that due to river Tano was 36.6%. The highest risk group was children aged 15-19 years. Praziquantel was administered to treat the infection, producing a cure rate of 93%. Recognition of urinary schistosomiasis as a public health problem in Ghana is the main challenge to prevention and control of the disease.展开更多
Background:Urogenital schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection of public health importance that affects over 112 million people worldwide.The study aimed at assessing the urogenital schistosomiasis prevalence and risk...Background:Urogenital schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection of public health importance that affects over 112 million people worldwide.The study aimed at assessing the urogenital schistosomiasis prevalence and risk factors of transmission around Mape dam suburds in Malantouen district,West,Cameroon.Methods:The study was conducted using semi-structured pretested questionnaires to collect socio-demographic and ecological data.Urine samples were also collected and used to confirm the prevalence of schistosomiasis in consented school-aged children in four primary schools between March-July 2014.Snails’samples around the dam surburbs were also collected for taxonomy characterization and species identification.Data were compiled and quality control assessed and analysed using SPSS version 17 and Epiinfo data 3.1.P<0.05 was considered statistical significance.Results:Questionnaires were administered to 229 pupils,with gender ratio of 1.04(m/f).The prevalence of schistosomiasis haematobium was 16.6%.Mambonko school site,which is the closest to the dam suburbs,registered the greatest prevalence rate of 40%.The age group beween 10-13 years was the most infected(18.3%)and boys were more infested than girls(21.0%vs.15.5%).Haematuria,urination pain,school absentiesm and poor performance were the major recorded complications in 39.5 and 26.3%males to female respectively.Infection rate gender disparity documented is still poorly understood and Bulinus truncatus collected from Mambonko suburb as potential snail intermediate host requires further studies.Conclusions:Authors advocated that schools and dam suburds sustained and innovative community-based surveillance and response targeted interventions implementation are needed to inform and support decisionmaking policy,but also in improving effective contextual behavioural communication changes and MDA improved uptake measures on national schistosomiasis control and elimination in Cameroon.展开更多
Background:Efforts to control and eliminate schistosomiasis have accelerated over the past decade.As parasite burden,associated morbidity and egg excretion decrease,diagnosis with standard parasitological methods beco...Background:Efforts to control and eliminate schistosomiasis have accelerated over the past decade.As parasite burden,associated morbidity and egg excretion decrease,diagnosis with standard parasitological methods becomes harder.We assessed the robustness and performance of a real-time PCR(qPCR)approach in comparison with urine filtration microscopy and reagent strip testing for the diagnosis of Schistosoma haematobium infections of different intensities.Methods:The robustness of DNA isolation and qPCR was validated in eight laboratories from Europe and Africa.Subsequently,792 urine samples collected during cross-sectional surveys of the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission(ZEST)project in 2012-2017 were examined with qPCR in 2018.Diagnostic sensitivity of the qPCR was calculated at different infection intensity categories,using urine filtration microscopy as reference test.Spearman's rank correlation between Ct-values and S.haematobium egg counts was assessed and Ct-value percentiles for infection intensity categories determined.Results:S.haematobium Dra1 DNA-positive samples were identified correctly in all eight laboratories.Examination of urine samples from Zanzibar revealed Dra1 DNA in 26.8%(212/792)by qPCR,S.haematobium eggs in 13.3%(105/792)by urine filtration,and microhaematuria in 13.8%(109/792)by reagent strips.Sensitivity of the qPCR increased with augmenting egg counts:80.6%(29/36)for counts between 1 and 4 eggs,83.3%(15/18)for counts between 5 and 9 eggs,100%(23/23)for counts between 10 and 49 eggs,and 96.4%(27/28)for counts of 50+eggs.There was a significant negative correlation between Ct-values and egg counts(Spearman's rho=-0.49,P<0.001).Seventy-five percent of the Ct-values were≥33 in the egg-negative category,<31 in the light intensity category,and<24 in the heavy intensity category.Conclusions:While the sensitiivity of the qPCR was^80%for very light intensity infections(egg counts<10),in general,the Dra1 based qPCR assay detected twice as many S.haematobium infections compared展开更多
基金supported by the National Major Scientific and Technological Special Project(no.2012ZX10004220)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(nos.81401688,81271855,81261160324,81371836,and 81572023)。
文摘Schistosomiasis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease that causes serious harms to humans and animals.Surveillance and diagnosis play key roles in schistosomiasis control,however,current techniques for surveillance and diagnosis of the disease have limitations.As genome data for parasites are increasing,novel techniques for detection incorporating nucleotide sequences are receiving widespread attention.These sensitive,specific,and rapid detection methods are particularly important in the diagnosis of low-grade and early infections,and may prove to have clinical significance.This paper reviews the progress of nucleic acid detection in the diagnosis and prevention of schistosomiasis,including such aspects as the selection of target genes,and development and application of nucleic acid detection methods.
文摘Objective:Malaria remains the single leading killer of children in sub - Sahara Africa and Schistosomiasis is considered to be second to malaria in global importance.Co - infection of malaria and urinary schistosomiasis has been reported to exacerbate disease morbidity such as anaemia.In different part of the globe,the co - infection between malaria and schistosomiasis provides some protections on the infected persons.The protective effect of this co - infection elucidated immunologically using cytokines is lacking in our locality.Methods:Urine and blood samples obtained from the 160 volunteers were subjected to standard parasitological techniques for diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis and malaria respectively.Blood samples collected from these volunteers comprising 80 children with schistosomiasis and malaria and the 80 children who had malaria only were subjected to cytokines concentration determination using commercial standard enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits(Abeam,UK).Results:Eighty participants with co - infection had a mean malarial parasitaemia of 662±201.1μL while the 80 participants with only P.falciparum malaria had a mean malarial parasiteamia of 5943±3270.7μL.Also the volunteers had mean haemoglobin of 11.2 g/dL for co - infected individuals and 5.7 g/dL for participants with single infection of malaria.The serum cytokine levels of the children with S. haematobium and P.falciparum and only P.falciparum infection are as follows;interleukin - 4(16.6 pg/ mL versus 5.2 pg/mL),IL - 5(501.3 pg/mL versus 357.5 pg/mL);IL -8(2 550 pg/mL versus 309 pg/mL),IL - 10(273 pg/mL versus 290 pg/mL),TNF -α(25 pg/mL versus 290 pg/mL) and IFN -γ(21.9 pg/mL versus 2.5 pg/mL).The TNF -α/IL - 10 ratio is 7 for the children with co - infection while those with only P.falciparum malaria infection had a TNF -α/IL - 10 ratio of 0.9.Conclusion:We conclude that the elevated IL - 4,IL - 5,IL - 8 and IFN -γconcentration induced by schistosomiasis altered the Th1/Th 2 profile and protected the children against the m
基金supported by the National Research Foundation-Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETF/DR&D/CE/NRF2020/SETI/105).
文摘Objective:To evaluate the immunodiagnostic potential of crude Fasciola gigantica-worm(FWA)and egg antigen(FEA)in detecting anti-Schistosoma(S.)haematobium antibodies in sera and urine samples.Methods:This is a cross-sectional diagnostic study.Employing an indirect ELISA,antibodies against these antigens were assessed in samples from infected and non-infected individuals in both schistosomiasis endemic(NE)and non-endemic(NNE)areas,using microscopy as the diagnostic standard.Results:FWA-sera exhibited excellent diagnostic accuracy with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.957,a sensitivity of 93.75%,and a specificity of 85.42%for discriminating between infected and non-infected individuals in non-endemic areas.FWA-urine also demonstrated robust performance,achieving AUC>0.95,sensitivity>97.0%,and specificity>85.0%in both NE and NNE categories.Notably,S.haematobium-specific antibody levels against FWA were significantly elevated in infected individuals in both endemic and non-endemic areas.FEA-sera exhibited outstanding diagnostic performance with sensitivity exceeding 90%and an AUC of 0.968 in non-endemic samples but not in FEA-urine.Conclusions:FWA-based ELISAs,applicable to both sera and urine,emerge as promising tools for S.haematobium diagnosis in resource-limited settings,offering advantages of high sensitivity and specificity with shared antigens with Fasciola.The superior diagnostic metrics of urine samples suggest their potential as a non-invasive biological sample for diagnostic purposes.
基金This study is funded as part of the COUNTDOWN research programme consortium,by the Research and Evidence Division of the Department for International Development,UKThe funders had no role in study design,decision to publish,or preparation of the manuscript。
文摘Background:The crater lakes of Barombi Mbo and Barombi Kotto are well-known transmission foci of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis having had several important control initiatives previously.To collect contemporary epidemiological information,a cross-sectional survey was undertaken inclusive of:signs and symptoms of disease,individual treatment histories,local water,sanitation and hygiene(WASH)-related factors and malacological surveillance,with molecular characterisation of specimens.Methods:At each lake,a community cross-sectional survey was undertaken using a combination of stool and urine parasitological sampling,and interview with pro-forma questionnaires.A total of 338 children and adults participated.Material from snail and parasite species were characterised by DNA methods.Results:Egg-patent prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was 8.7%at Barombi Mbo(all light-intensity infections)and 40.1%at Barombi Kotto(21.2%heavy-intensity infections).Intestinal schistosomiasis was absent.At Barombi Kotto,significantly more women reported signs and symptoms associated with female genital schistosomiasis.While there had been extensive recent improvement in WASH-related infrastructure at Barombi Mbo,water contact risk scores were higher among schistosomiasis-infected participants(P<0.001)and at Barombi Kotto in general(P<0.001).Across both lakes,mean prevalence of STH was very low(6.3%)evidencing an impressive decrease of 79.0%over the last decade;neither Strongyloides stercoralis nor Ascaris lumbricoides were found.A total of 29 freshwater sampling sites were inspected for snails,13 in Barombi Mbo and 16 in Barombi Kotto;water chemistry differed significantly(P<0.0001)between lakes for both mean pH(7.9 v.9.6)and mean conductivity(64.3μS v.202.1μS)respectively.Only two Bulinus camerunensis found on the central island of Barombi Kotto were observed to shed schistosome cercariae,but schistosome DNA was later detected in Bulinus sampled from both lakes as well as in Indoplanorbis exustus,an invasive
文摘Due to limited resources and experience, rapid diagnostic techniques are advocated in nations with a resource shortage when diagnosing schistosomiasis. We used rapid diagnostic tests to access the prevalence and intensity of schistosome infection in North Central, Nigeria. A total of 1951 participants were recruited for this study. The participants were screened for S. haematobium infection;haematuria and proteinuria were monitored in the recruited patients with a commercial reagent strip. Of the 1951 participants recruited for the study, 587 were found to be infected. Children aged 0 to 10 years showed the highest levels of haematuria with (100%) specificity. Meanwhile, other age groups (11 - 20, 21 - 30, 31 - 40 and above 40 years) had rates higher than 90%. The degree of haematuria increased with egg intensity. The same was seen in proteinuria, with a percentage of 41.9%. A significant difference (p S. haematobium in rural endemic areas.
文摘Various kinds of organisms, including viruses, bacteria, trematodes and fungi are known carcinogens that cause cancer. Infectious identification related to cancer may lead to better treatment for both the prevention and targeting of cancer therapy. Although nearly 20% of all cancers are caused by an infection of a microbe, the amount of evidence and information regarding the mechanisms associated with oncogenesis varies dramatically from one organism to the next. This review cannot be exhaustive because we are not aware of all infections worldwide in addition to their potential mechanisms for oncogenesis. More research is required for all of the species mentioned in this review.
基金supported and funded by the Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences of university of Cape Coast,Ghana
文摘Objective: To investigate the effect of pre-existing Schistosoma haematobium(S. haematobium) infection on malaria disease severity.Methods: The study involved the use of twenty-i ve imprinting control region mice, i fteen of which were initially infected with S. haematobium. Five of the remaining ten schistouninfected mice together with i ve schisto-infected mice were infected with Plasmodium berghei(P. berghei) after four weeks(acute stage) of schistosoma infection. The remaining i ve schisto-uninfected mice together with i ve schisto-infected mice were also infected with P. berghei after seven weeks(chronic stage) of schistosoma infection. The last i ve schistoinfected mice were used as control group. They were then monitored for changes in P. berghei parasitaemia on Days 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 post-infection. Records on their survivability were also taken.Results: The co-infected mice had signii cantly higher malaria parasitaemia, compared with the mono-infected mice during acute S. haematobium infection. In contrast, the co-infected mice had signii cantly lower malaria parasitaemia during chronic S. haematobium infection and a higher survival rate.Conclusions: Co-infection of mice with P. berghei during acute S. haematobium infection resulted in rapid P. berghei development and increased malaria parasitaemia. However, the co-infection resulted in slower P. berghei development and decreased malaria parasitaemia with enhanced survivability of the mice during chronic S. haematobium infection. Therefore, pre-existing chronic S. haematobium infection may provide some protection to the host by reducing parasitaemia.
文摘Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease of the tropics which is estimated to affect up to 300 million people worldwide. While it is being successfully controlled in many countries, it remains a major public health problem, especially in developing countries including Ghana. Extensive work on schistosomiasis has been undertaken along theVoltaRiverbasin, leaving very little data and information on this infection in the urban and peri-urban areas inGhana. This study was aimed at determining the urinary schistosomiasis burden among children of school going age within Zenu, a suburb of the capital city. Urine samples were taken from 274 school children within the Zenu community and examined with urine chemistry dipsticks for detection and confirmation of haematuria, followed by microscopy for detection of Schistosoma haematobium ova. Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis was 30.7% (95% CI: 25.2-36.2). 44 (52%) of the positive samples were collected from males whiles 40 (48%) were collected from females, but prevalence of the infection was not significantly associated with gender (χ2 = 0.041, DF = 1, P-Value = 0.839). Among the S. haematobium positive children, haematuria was detected by the dipstick in 88.1% (74/84, 95% CI: 81.2- 95.0), but it was not detected in 11.9% (10/84, 95% CI: 5.0-18.8). Meanwhile, the dipstick detected haematuria in 7.3% (20/274, 95% CI: 4.3-7.3) of the total population but microscopy could not detect the presence of Schistosoma ova in those children. An association was found between Schistosoma infection and haematuria detected by dipstick (χ2 = 84.715, DF = 1,
文摘The effects of sublethal concentrations of methanol extract of sesbania sesban plant on survival rate, egg laying of Bulinus truncatus snails, hatchability of their eggs, infection rate with Schistosoma haemato- bium miracidia, cercarial production and certain physiological parameters of treated snails were stu- died. The sublethal concentrations of the tested plant extract (LC0, LC10 and LC25) caused considerable reduction in survival rates;egg production of B. runcates snails;hatchability of eggs as well as in the infectivity of Schistosoma haematobium miracidia to the snail. Also, the tested concentrations reduced the cercarial production per snail and the period of cer-carial shedding. The glucose level in haemolymph of exposed snails was elevated while the glycogen, pro-tein content and the activities of hexokinase (HK), pyruvatekinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) showed a decrease in soft tissues when compared with the control group. It was concluded that the app lication of sublethal concentration of methanol ex- tracts of Sesania sesban may be helpful in snail con- trol as it interferes with the snails’ biology and phy- siology.
基金The study received logistic supports from Malaria and Bilharzia in Southern Africa(MABISA)project under which the study was conducted,funded by Wold Health Organisation(WHO)Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases(TDR)and the Canadian International Development Research Centre(IDRC)The study was also supported by the College of Health Sciences scholarship program at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
文摘Background:Despite its low cure rates and possible resistance,praziquantel(PZQ)is the only drug available for schistosomiasis treatment.Hence,monitoring its efficacy is crucial.This study assessed the efficacy of PZQ,determined re-infection and incidence rates of Schistosoma haematobium infection among school-going children in the Ndumo area,KwaZulu-Natal.Methods:A cohort of 320 school-going children(10-15 years)in 10 primary schools was screened for S.haematobium infection using the filtration technique.Infected children were treated at different times and hence were divided into two sub-cohorts;A1 and A2.Non-infected children constituted the sub-cohort B.Children who continued excreting viable eggs 4 weeks post-treatment received a second dose of PZQ.Re-infection rates were determined in sub-cohort A1 and A2 at 28 and 20 weeks post-treatment,respectively.Cure rates(CR)and egg reduction rates(ERR)were calculated.Incidence rate was assessed 28 weeks post baseline survey using children that were negative for schistosome eggs at that survey.Analysis of data was done using the Chi square and the Wilcoxon rank test.A 95%confidence interval with a P-value<0.05 determined significance.Results:At baseline,120(37.5%)of the 320 study participants were found infected with Schistosoma haematobium.Heavy infections accounted for 36.7%.The calculated cure rates were 88.07%and 82.92%for females and males,respectively.Egg Reduction Rates of 80%and 64%for females and males were observed 4 weeks after the initial treatment.After the second treatment,CR was 100%in females and 50%in males with an ERR of 100%in females and 70%in males.At 20 and 28 weeks post treatment,reinfection rates of 8.03%and 8.00%were observed,respectively,giving an overall rate of 8.1%.An incidence rate of 4.1%was observed 28 weeks after the baseline screening.Conclusions:The study indicated high CR while the ERR was low suggesting a reduced PZQ efficacy.The efficacy improved among females after the second dose.Re-infection rates at 20 and 28 weeks posttreatme
基金The writing of this review was made possible through the post-doctoral fellowship from the University of KwaZulu-Natal,College of Health Sciences that was awarded to Dr.Chester Kalinda。
文摘Background:The speedy rate of change in the environmental and socio-economics factors may increase the incidence,prevalence and risk of schistosomiasis infections in Zambia.However,available information does not provide a comprehensive understanding of the biogeography and distribution of the disease,ecology and population dynamics of intermediate host snails.The current study used an information-theoretical approach to understand the biogeography and prevalence schistosomiasis and identified knowledge gaps that would be useful to improve policy towards surveillance and eradication of intermediate hosts snails in Zambia.Methods:To summarise the existing knowledge and build on past and present experiences of schistosomiasis epidemiology for effective disease control in Zambia,a systematic search of literature for the period 2000-2017 was done on PubMed,Google Scholar and EBSCOhost.Using the key words:‘Schistosomiasis’,‘Biomphalaria’,‘Bulinus’,‘Schistosoma mansoni’,‘Schistosoma haematobium’,and‘Zambia’,in combination with Booleans terms‘AND’and‘OR’,published reports/papers were obtained and reviewed independently for inclusion.Results:Thirteen papers published in English that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected for the final review.The papers suggest that the risk of infection has increased over the years and this has been attributed to environmental,socio-economic and demographic factors.Furthermore,schistosomiasis is endemic in many parts of the country with infection due to Schistosoma haematobium being more prevalent than that due to S.mansoni.This review also found that S.haematobium was linked to genital lesions,thus increasing risks of contracting other diseases such as HIV and cervical cancer.Conclusions:For both S.haematobium and S.mansoni,environmental,socio-economic,and demographic factors were influential in the transmission and prevalence of the disease and highlight the need for detailed knowledge on ecological modelling and mapping the distribution of the di
基金The study received financial support from University of KwaZulu-Natal College of Health Sciences through the student scholarship programme,and from United Nations International Children's Fund/United Nations Development Programme/World Bank/World Health Organization Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseasesfrom the Canadian International Development Research Centre through their support towards a Malaria and Bilharzia in Southern Africa project.
文摘Background:Given that increase in temperature may alter host-parasite relationships,the anticipated rise in temperature due to global warming might change transmission patterns of certain diseases.However,the extent to which this will happen is not well understood.Methods:Using a host-parasite system involving Bulinus globosus and Schistosoma haematobium,we assessed the effect of temperature on snail fecundity,growth,survival and parasite development under laboratory conditions.Results:Our results show that temperature may have a non-linear effect on snail fecundity and snail growth.Snails maintained at 15.5℃ and 36.0℃ did not produce egg masses while those maintained at 25.8℃ laid 344 and 105 more egg masses than snails at 31.0℃ and 21.2℃,respectively.Attainment of patency led to a reduction in egg mass production among the snails.However,the reduction in fecundity for snails maintained at 21.2℃ occurred before snails started shedding cercariae.Parasite development was accelerated at high temperatures with snails maintained at 31.0℃ reaching patency after three weeks.Furthermore,snail growth rate was highest at 25.8℃ while it was inhibited at 15.5℃ and reduced at 31.0℃.Increase in temperature increased snail mortality rates.Snails maintained at 36.0℃ had the shortest survival time while those maintained at 15.5℃ had the longest survival time.Conclusions:We concluded that temperature influences fecunxdity,growth,survival and parasite development in the snail and thus dictates the time it takes the parasite to complete the life cycle.This has implications on transmission of schistosomiasis in the context of global warming.
文摘Background:Schistosomiasis is a serious public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa.Praziquantel is the only drug recommended by the World Health Organization to treat both urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis.The reliance on a single drug to treat a disease with such a huge burden has raised concerns of possible drug resistance mainly in endemic areas.This systematic review was conducted to identify gaps and recent progress on the efficacy of different regimens of praziquantel in treating schistosomiasis among children in sub-Saharan Africa where Schistosoma mansoni and S.haematobium are endemic.Main text:A literature search of peer-reviewed journals was done on Google Scholar,MEDLINE(under EBSCOhost)and PubMed databases using pre-defined search terms and Boolean operators.The search included studies published from 2008 to 2017(August)with emphasis on the efficacy of praziquantel on S.haematobium and S.mansoni infections among preschool and school children.Nineteen publications satisfied the inclusion criteria for the review.The studies reviewed were from 10 sub-Saharan African countries and 7/19 of the studies(37%)were conducted in Uganda.Seven studies(37%)focused on Schistosoma mansoni,6/19(31.5%)on S.haematobium and another 6 on mixed infection.A single standard dose of 40 mg/kg body weight was the most used regimen(9)followed by the repeated single standard dose assessed for efficacy at 3-4 weeks post-treatment.Conclusions:A repeated standard dose of 40 mg/kg achieved satisfactory efficacy compared to a single dose against both parasite species.However,findings on efficacy of repeated doses in co-infection of S.mansoni and S.haematobium were not conclusive.Praziquantel administrated at 60 mg/kg was slightly more efficacious than the 40 mg/kg standard dose.Minor and transitory side-effects were reported for both regimens.The review indicates that further investigations are necessary to conclusively determine efficacy of praziquantel on coinfection of S.haematobium and S.mansoni to formulate concrete guide
文摘Background Researching a water-borne disease in the middle of the Sahara desert might not seem the most relevant concern.However,nomadic Sahelian pastoralists health concerns regarding their livestock and anecdotal reports about trematode infections of Fasciola spp.and Schistosoma spp.in desert-raised animals justified an exploratory study focusing on the lakes of Ounianga in Northern Chad.The aim was to test whether trematode parasites such as Schistosoma spp.occur in human populations living around the Sahara desert lakes of Ounianga Kebir and Ounianga Serir in northern Chad.Methods The study was carried out in January 2019 and comprised of three components.First,a cross sectional survey based on a random sample drawn from the population to detect infections with S.haematobium and S.mansoni;second,focus group discussions exploring disease priorities,access to health and health seeking behaviour;and third,surveying water contact sites for intermediate host snails.Samples of trematode parasites and snails were confirmed on species level by molecular genetic methods.For parasitological and malacological surveys descriptive statistics were performed.Qualitative data analysis included the full review of all transcripts,followed by a descriptive and explorative thematic analysis.Results Among 258 participants,the overall S.haematobium prevalence using urine filtration was 39.2%[95%confidence interval(CI):33.5–45.1%],with 51.5%of the infected suffering from heavy infection.The intermediate host snail of S.haematobium(Bulinus truncatus)occurred at water contact sites near both study villages,revealing the potential for local transmission.Although a positive S.mansoni point-of-care circulating cathodic antigen(POC-CCA)test result was obtained from 8.6%(95%CI 5.7–12.8%)of the samples,no intermediate host snails of S.mansoni were found,and the relevance of S.mansoni remains uncertain.Qualitative findings underline the importance of morbidity caused by urinary schistosomiasis,and the lack of access to diagnostics and t
文摘Background:Despite the ubiquity of polyparasitism,its health impacts have been inadequately studied.The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of polyparasitism with Schistosoma haematobium,Plasmodium and soil-transmitted helminths(STH)following sustained control measures,as well as evaluate the outcomes and clinical correlates of infection in school-aged children(SAC)living in the schistosomiasis endemic focus of Muyuka-Cameroon.Methods:In a cross-sectional study,urine,blood and stool samples were each collected from SAC(4-14 years)selected at random between March and June 2015.Microhaematuria in urine was detected using reagent strip and 5.haematobium ova by filtration/microscopy methods.Plasmodium was detected using Giemsa-stained blood films and complete blood count was obtained using an auto-haematology analyser.STH in stool was detected by the Kato-Katz method.Categorical and continuous variables were compared as required,Kappa value estimated and the adjusted odds ratio(aOR)in the multivariate analysis was used to evaluate association of the risk factors with infection.
文摘A study has been conducted to determine the impact of climate variability on Schistosoma haematobium infection among patients and school children in Sunyani between 2006 and 2009. Urine samples from the subjects were collected and examined in the laboratory using the Filteration technique for the detection and quantification ofSchistosoma haematobium eggs. The prevalence rate of urinary schistosomiasis at the Sunyani Regional Hospital for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 were found to be 0.24%, 0.55%, 0.55% and 0.75% respectively while that for Methodist Junior High School in 2008 and 2009 were 60.1% and 60.3% respectively. A decrease in the relative humidity and average annual rainfall were identified as factors contributory to the increase in urinary schistosomiasis prevalence rate. The temperature values obtained throughout the study period did not have any significant effect on the prevalence rate. The temperature values, however, were those that enhanced cercarial incubation （15-35 ℃） with a resultant increase in shedding of cercariae leading to more infections among water contacts. The infection rate due to the stream Amama was 20.1%, while that due to river Tano was 36.6%. The highest risk group was children aged 15-19 years. Praziquantel was administered to treat the infection, producing a cure rate of 93%. Recognition of urinary schistosomiasis as a public health problem in Ghana is the main challenge to prevention and control of the disease.
文摘Background:Urogenital schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection of public health importance that affects over 112 million people worldwide.The study aimed at assessing the urogenital schistosomiasis prevalence and risk factors of transmission around Mape dam suburds in Malantouen district,West,Cameroon.Methods:The study was conducted using semi-structured pretested questionnaires to collect socio-demographic and ecological data.Urine samples were also collected and used to confirm the prevalence of schistosomiasis in consented school-aged children in four primary schools between March-July 2014.Snails’samples around the dam surburbs were also collected for taxonomy characterization and species identification.Data were compiled and quality control assessed and analysed using SPSS version 17 and Epiinfo data 3.1.P<0.05 was considered statistical significance.Results:Questionnaires were administered to 229 pupils,with gender ratio of 1.04(m/f).The prevalence of schistosomiasis haematobium was 16.6%.Mambonko school site,which is the closest to the dam suburbs,registered the greatest prevalence rate of 40%.The age group beween 10-13 years was the most infected(18.3%)and boys were more infested than girls(21.0%vs.15.5%).Haematuria,urination pain,school absentiesm and poor performance were the major recorded complications in 39.5 and 26.3%males to female respectively.Infection rate gender disparity documented is still poorly understood and Bulinus truncatus collected from Mambonko suburb as potential snail intermediate host requires further studies.Conclusions:Authors advocated that schools and dam suburds sustained and innovative community-based surveillance and response targeted interventions implementation are needed to inform and support decisionmaking policy,but also in improving effective contextual behavioural communication changes and MDA improved uptake measures on national schistosomiasis control and elimination in Cameroon.
基金This study received financial support from Innosuisse(project 18553.2 PFLS-LS)from the University of Georgia Research Foundation Inc.,which is funded by the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation for the Schistosomiasis Consortium for Operational Research and Evaluation(SCORE)projects(prime award no.50816,sub-award no.RR374–053/4893206)+1 种基金SK received financial support by sub-award no.RR374–053/4893196 and via direct grants from the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation(Investment IDs:OPP1191423 and OPP1198086)FA received financial support from the Wellcome Trust(SCAN Project 104958/Z/14/Z).
文摘Background:Efforts to control and eliminate schistosomiasis have accelerated over the past decade.As parasite burden,associated morbidity and egg excretion decrease,diagnosis with standard parasitological methods becomes harder.We assessed the robustness and performance of a real-time PCR(qPCR)approach in comparison with urine filtration microscopy and reagent strip testing for the diagnosis of Schistosoma haematobium infections of different intensities.Methods:The robustness of DNA isolation and qPCR was validated in eight laboratories from Europe and Africa.Subsequently,792 urine samples collected during cross-sectional surveys of the Zanzibar Elimination of Schistosomiasis Transmission(ZEST)project in 2012-2017 were examined with qPCR in 2018.Diagnostic sensitivity of the qPCR was calculated at different infection intensity categories,using urine filtration microscopy as reference test.Spearman's rank correlation between Ct-values and S.haematobium egg counts was assessed and Ct-value percentiles for infection intensity categories determined.Results:S.haematobium Dra1 DNA-positive samples were identified correctly in all eight laboratories.Examination of urine samples from Zanzibar revealed Dra1 DNA in 26.8%(212/792)by qPCR,S.haematobium eggs in 13.3%(105/792)by urine filtration,and microhaematuria in 13.8%(109/792)by reagent strips.Sensitivity of the qPCR increased with augmenting egg counts:80.6%(29/36)for counts between 1 and 4 eggs,83.3%(15/18)for counts between 5 and 9 eggs,100%(23/23)for counts between 10 and 49 eggs,and 96.4%(27/28)for counts of 50+eggs.There was a significant negative correlation between Ct-values and egg counts(Spearman's rho=-0.49,P<0.001).Seventy-five percent of the Ct-values were≥33 in the egg-negative category,<31 in the light intensity category,and<24 in the heavy intensity category.Conclusions:While the sensitiivity of the qPCR was^80%for very light intensity infections(egg counts<10),in general,the Dra1 based qPCR assay detected twice as many S.haematobium infections compared
