A comparative study of three conventional methods for diagnosis urinary schistosomiasis.

Abstract

The general objective of this comparative study was the evaluation of three diagnostic techniques (sedimentation technique using centrifugation, filtration techniques using millipore filter and Ninhydrine stained filter paper) conventional approaches. This was carried out at Alzaidab, River Nile State, Northern Sudan on 93 school children. The study involved the collection of samples from school children of 7 years age and above. A questionnaire was distributed to collect data on gender, age and water contact activities. The examinations on all samples were carried out applying the methods previously mentioned. The results revealed that the overall prevalence rates of Schistosomahaematobium in Alzaidab Nile State were 16.1%, 24.7% and 24.7% using the centrifugation, syringe filtration millipore, ninhydrin – filter paper staining method respectively. According to gender, males showed higher prevalence rates than females using all the techniques mentioned and the highest prevalence rate in males (36.1%) was reported by the syringe filtration millipore and ninhydrin – filter paper staining method. According to age groups, the highest prevalence rate was reported among the group of children over 13 years of age, using all the techniques. The high prevalence rate (64.3%) among the above mentioned group (over 13 year’s of age) was shown by the syringe filtration millipore and ninhydrin – filter paper staining method. The highest prevalence among those who had water contact (32.9%) was shown by the syringe filtration millipore and ninhydrin – filter paper staining method.It was found that the syringe filtration millipore and ninhydrin – filter paper staining methods gave identical and reproducible results, yet the ninhydrin – filter paper staining does not fit for field practice since it can only be carried out in the laboratory.