Prevalence of Schistosoma intercalatum and S. haematobium infection among primary schoolchildren in capital areas of democratic republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa

Tu Bin Chu, Chien Wei Liao, Ying Chieh Huang, Yu Tai Chang, A. S R J Costa, Dar Der Ji, Takeshi Nara, Akiko Tsubouchi, Wu Shou Peter Chang, Wen Ta Chiu, Chia Kwung Fan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: A parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium and S. intercalatum infection among primary schoolchildren in capital area of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (DRSTP) was undertaken. Methods: Subjects with positive infection were confirmed by the detection of S. haematobium ova in the urine or S. intercalatum ova in the stool by using centrifugation concentration or merthiolate-iodineformalin concentration method. Totally, 252 urine and stool samples, respectively, were obtained from apparently healthy schoolchildren, of which 121 from boys (9.8 ± 1.4 yr) and 131 from girls (9.7 ± 1.3 yr). Results: None of participating schoolchildren were found having S. haematobium ova in the urinary specimen. While, among 4 primary schools studied, only schoolchildren from Saint Marçal were detected with S. intercalatum ova in the fecal specimen, making the overall prevalence of S. intercalatum infection among schoolchildren was 2.4% (6/252) and girls had insignificantly higher prevalence (3.1%, 4/131) than that (1.7%, 2/121) in boys (χ2 = 0.5, P = 0.5). Conclusion: Water control and sanitation as well as snails eliminated by molluscicides are urgently needed to reduce S. intercalatum infection in DRSTP inhabitants.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)67-72
Number of pages6
JournalIranian Journal of Parasitology
Volume7
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Democratic republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Schistosomiasis
  • Schoolchildren
  • West Africa

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases

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