Abstract
BackgroundHuman schistosomiasis is a significant health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Niakhar, West central Senegal, the transmission of S. haematobium occurs seasonally between July and November. No control measures have been implemented despite high prevalence reported in previous studies. This aim of this study was to i) determine the current prevalence of S. haematobium in children at Niakhar, ii) assess the efficacy of one dose of PZQ (40 mg/kg) against S. haematobium and iii) monitor reinfection.MethodsThe current study was carried out in a cohort of 329 children aged five to 15 years enrolled from six villages in Niakhar to determine the efficacy of one dose of PZQ, as well as reinfection. Parasitological screening was performed in June 2011 to determine the baseline prevalence of S. haematobium, and then a single dose of PZQ was administered to all selected subjects in the transmission season in August 2011. The efficacy of PZQ treatment and reinfection were monitored respectively five weeks after in September 2011 and from February to March 2012.ResultsAt baseline, the overall prevalence and the heavy intensity of infection were 73.2 % and 356.1eggs/10 ml of urine. Significant differences in the prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium infection were noted between villages. A single dose of PZQ significantly reduced the prevalence of S. haematobium infection from 73.2 % to 4.6 % and the geometric mean intensity of infection from 356.1 to 43.3 eggs/10 ml of urine. The cure rates ranged from 89.4 % to 100 %. The egg reduction rates also ranged from 77.6 % to 100 %. Two to three months after the period of transmission, the overall rate of reinfection was 12.6 % and was significantly higher in male children than in female children. The overall prevalence at this period was 13.8 %, which was significantly lower than the prevalence at baseline (73.2 %).ConclusionThe Niakhar study area remains a hot spot of urinary schistosomiasis in Senegal with differences in transmission between villages. This study suggests that when transmission is strictly seasonal, Praziquantel shows the expected efficacy in reducing the prevalence and intensity of infection, but also a significant effect on the occurrence of reinfection.
Highlights
Human schistosomiasis is a significant health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa
Baseline prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium infection by village, sex and age Six villages Gajak, Godel, Logdir, Ngalagne, Puday and Sass njafaj were selected for the study
This epidemiological situation in Niakhar, marked by a high level of urinary schistosomiasis transmission is attributable to the lack of health education, poor sanitation and the lack of safe water resulting in permanent contact with ponds and backwaters which are the main areas of S. haematobium transmission during the rainy season
Summary
Human schistosomiasis is a significant health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. No control measures have been implemented despite high prevalence reported in previous studies This aim of this study was to i) determine the current prevalence of S. haematobium in children at Niakhar, ii) assess the efficacy of one dose of PZQ (40 mg/kg) against S. haematobium and iii) monitor reinfection. In sub-Saharan Africa, S. haematobium and S. mansoni are the predominant species causing urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis, respectively [5, 6]. S. haematobium is only transmitted in seasonal transmission areas, due to the fact that only the snail of the genus Bulinus, the intermediate hosts, can resist aestivation during the dry time of year, unlike the snails of genus Biomphalaria, the intermediate host of S. mansoni [8, 9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call