Epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Kampala; Uganda

A survey for intestinal schistosomiasis was carried out in grade six pupils (5;313 pupils; 10-15 years) in over 80of all primary schools in Kampal. The aim of the survey was to assess the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis in Kampala school children and to ascertain if transmission was occurring within the city. The prevalence of the disease was only 4.1(216/5;313) and egg load generally low (500 eggs per gram of stool). Most infected pupils came from areas outside Kampala known to be endemic for intestinal schistosomiasis. It cannot be precluded however; that some infections were contracted in Lake Victoria and the Kabaka's Lake within Kampala city. It was suggested that it would be more cost effective if schistosomiasis control measures were applied at this stage

Epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Kampala; Uganda

A survey for inestinal schistosomiasis was carried out in grade six pupils (5;313 pupils; 10-15 years) in over 80of all primary schools in Kampala. The aim of the survey was to assess the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis in Kampala school children and to ascertain if transmission was occuring within the city. The prevalence of the disease was only 4.1(216/5;313) and egg load generally low (500 eggs per gram of stool). Most infected pupils came from areas outside Kampala known to be endemic for intestinal schistosomiasis. It cannot be precluded however; that some infections were contracted in Lake victoria and the Kabaka's Lake within Kampala City. It was suggested that it would be more cost effective if schistosomiasis control measures were applied at this stage

Epidemiology and morbidity of Schistosoma mansoni infection in a fishing community along Lake Albert in Uganda.

Schistosoma mansoni infection, associated morbidity and symptoms were studied in Piida fishing community at Butiaba, along Lake Albert, Uganda, from November 1996 to January 1997. The study revealed that S. mansoni is highly endemic with an overall prevalence of 72%, a mean intensity of 419.4 eggs per gram (epg) faeces (geometric mean for positives only), with 37.8% of males and 33.0% of females excreting over 1000 epg. Prevalence and intensity peaked in the 10-14 year old age group and decreased with increasing age. Females were less heavily infected than males. Differences were also shown between tribes. Diarrhoea and abdominal pain were commonly reported in Piida. However, no clear-cut correlation between intensity of S. mansoni infection and these conditions could be demonstrated, indicating that retrospective questionnaires concerning S. mansoni related-symptomatology are of limited value. Organomegaly, as assessed by ultrasonography, was frequent and hepatomegaly was associated with heavy S. mansoni infection. No correlation was demonstrated between splenomegaly and infection. This study emphasizes that schistosomiasis mansoni is a major public health problem in Piida fishing community and presumably also in many similar fishing communities. These observations call for immediate intervention and can help in planning long-term strategies for sustainable morbidity control.

Efficacy and side effects of praziquantel treatment in a highly endemic Schistosoma mansoni focus at Lake Albert, Uganda.

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and side effects following single and repeated (6 weeks apart) praziquantel treatment (40 mg/kg) in a Schistosoma mansoni-endemic focus with long-standing transmission at Lake Albert in Uganda between December 1996 and January 1997. The results were based on 482 individuals, randomly representing all age and both gender groups. The cure rate following the first and second treatments was 41.9% and 69.1%, respectively. The cure rate was higher in adults than in children, irrespective of intensity of infection. In addition, the cure rate declined markedly with increasing intensity of infection. The reduction in intensity of infection was marked, being 97.7% and 99.6% after the first and second treatments, respectively. A pre- and post-treatment symptom questionnaire revealed a broad range of side effects, including abdominal pain and diarrhoea. However, no serious or long-lasting complications affecting compliance were observed. The marked reductions in faecal egg excretion and the acceptable level of side effects point to a single praziquantel treatment (40mg/kg) as the strategy of choice in such a highly endemic S. mansoni focus.

Adult resistance to schistosomiasis mansoni: age-dependence of reinfection remains constant in communities with diverse exposure patterns.

In a fishing community on Lake Albert in Uganda the pattern of intensity of Schistosoma mansoni infection 6 months after treatment with praziquantel was found to be very similar to reinfection patterns seen in previously studied endemic communities: the profile peaks sharply at around the age of 10 years falling away rapidly to much lower levels in adults. This is in stark contrast to the patterns of water contact, which differ greatly between fishing and non-fishing communities. On Lake Albert, adults appear to be more heavily exposed than children. From these observations we conclude that adults are physiologically (perhaps immunologically) more resistant to infection after treatment than children.

Human intestinal parasites in primary school children in Kampala, Uganda.

A cross sectional survey on intestinal parasite infections was carried out in 5,313 pupils between the ages of ten and fifteen years in 98 primary schools in Kampala. The aim was to identify the types and distribution of intestinal parasites and to estimate the prevalence in school children. Trichuris trichiura (28%), Ascaris lumbricoides (17%) and hookworms (12.9%) were common infections among the children. Other less commonly found parasites were S.mansoni, Strongyloides stercolaris, Taenia sp, Enterobius vermicularis, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli and E. histolytica. Refuse dumps are probably a significant source of transmission of intestinal helminthic infections in Kampala.

Epidemiology of schistosomiasis in Kampala, Uganda.

A survey for intestinal schistosomiasis was carried out in grade six pupils (5,313 pupils, 10-15 years) in over 80% of all primary schools in Kampala. The aim of the survey was to assess the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis in Kampala school children and to ascertain if transmission was occurring within the city. The prevalence of the disease was only 4.1% (216/5,313) and egg load generally low (< 500 eggs per gram of stool). Most infected pupils came from areas outside Kampala known to be endemic for intestinal schistosomiasis. It cannot be precluded however, that some infections were contracted in Lake Victoria and the Kabaka's Lake within Kampala city. It was suggested that it would be more cost effective if schistosomiasis control measures were applied at this stage.