Schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is a tropical parasitic disease, caused by blood-dwelling worms of the genus Schistosoma. The main human species are S mansoni (occurring in Africa and South America) and S japonicum (South and East Asia) causing intestinal and hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, and S haematobium (Africa) causing urinary schistosomiasis. Severe symptoms develop in predilected people with heavy and long-standing infections.

The contribution of water contact behavior to the high Schistosoma mansoni Infection rates observed in the Senegal River Basin.

Background: Schistosomiasis is one of the major parasitic diseases in the world in terms of people infected and those at risk. Infection occurs through contact with water contaminated with larval forms of the parasite, which are released by freshwater snails and then penetrate the skin of people. Schistosomiasis infection and human water contact are thus essentially linked, and more knowledge about their relationship will help us to develop appropriate control measures.

The role of hygienic bathing after defecation in the transmission of Schistosoma mansoni.

Transmission of Schistosoma mansoni depends on fecal eggs reaching water, but the way this happens is poorly understood. We studied the role of hygienic bathing after defecation in the contamination of water with S. mansoni eggs.

Association of atopy, asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis and intestinal helminth infections in Cuban children.

Objective: To examine the relationship of past and current intestinal helminth infections with asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis and atopy.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 1320 children aged 4-14 years from two Cuban municipalities. Helminth infections were determined by stool examination and parental questionnaire.

Associations between specific antibody responses and resistance to reinfection in a Senegalese population recently exposed to Schistosoma mansoni.

We examined associations between schistosome-specific antibody responses and reinfection in Senegalese individuals recently exposed to Schistosoma mansoni. The effects of treatment, age, intensity of infection and duration of exposure on schistosome-specific antibody responses were also investigated by comparing immune responses in individuals exposed for less than 3 years with responses in people exposed for more than 8 years. All individuals were bled before treatment as well as 6 and 12 weeks after.

Prevalence and risk factors of intestinal parasites in Cuban children.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of intestinal parasite infections and their risk factors in children in urban and rural settings in two Cuban municipalities.

Methods: A total of 1320 Cuban schoolchildren aged 4-14 were tested by stool examination for intestinal parasite infections and evaluated by parental questionnaire for a number of common environmental, sanitary, socioeconomic and behavioural risk factors. Multivariate regression was applied to examine the relationship between the respective parasite infections and the risk factors.

Human schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis or bilharzia is a tropical disease caused by worms of the genus Schistosoma. The transmission cycle requires contamination of surface water by excreta, specific freshwater snails as intermediate hosts, and human water contact. The main disease-causing species are S haematobium, S mansoni, and S japonicum.

Low awareness of intestinal schistosomiasis in northern Senegal after 7 years of health education as part of intense control and research activities.

We evaluated the awareness of and knowledge about intestinal schistosomiasis in a highly infected rural community of northern Senegal where a variety of health information and education activities had taken place for 7 years as a component of different research and control programmes. As the infection had been introduced only recently, an initial 'zero' knowledge can be assumed. Most of the health education activities had been performed with adapted messages through local health and community workers.

High prevalence and morbidity of Schistosoma mansoni along the Albert Nile in Uganda.

An epidemiological cross sectional study of Schistosoma mansoni was conducted in two hyper endemic fishing villages of Rhino Camp and Obongi both in West Nile district in northern Uganda in 1991 and 1992. People with various water contacts were registered. A small group of civil servants and clergies with less water contact in the river Nile were studied for control of infection and morbidity.

Evaluation of staff performance and material resources for integrated schistosomiasis control in northern Senegal.

Background: A project to improve integrated control of schistosomiasis in the primary health care system of northern Senegal was implemented from February 1995 until September 1999, shortly after a Schistosoma mansoni outbreak. The activities included additional training of doctors and nurses in symptom-based treatment and making praziquantel (PZQ) available for an affordable price.

Objective: To investigate staff performance and the availability and costs of diagnostic materials and PZQ at the end of this intervention project.