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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Bladder Morbidity and Hepatic Fibrosis in Mixed Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni Infections: A Population-Wide Study in Northern Senegal
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Volume 6, No. 9, Article e1829, Year 2012
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Description
Background: The global distribution map of schistosomiasis shows a large overlap of Schistosoma haematobium- and S. mansoni-endemic areas in Africa. Yet, little is known about the consequences of mixed Schistosoma infections for the human host. A recent study in two neighboring co-endemic communities in Senegal indicated that infection intensities of both species were higher in mixed than in single infections. Here, we investigated the relationship between mixed Schistosoma infections and morbidity in the same population. So far, this has only been studied in children. Methods: Schistosoma infection was assessed by microscopy. Schistosoma-specific morbidity was assessed by ultrasound according to WHO guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for morbidity. Principal Findings: Complete parasitological and morbidity data were obtained from 403 individuals. Schistosoma haematobium-specific bladder morbidity was observed in 83% and S. mansoni-specific hepatic fibrosis in 27% of the participants. Bladder morbidity was positively associated with S. haematobium infection intensity (OR = 1.9 (95% CI 1.3-2.9) for a 10-fold increase in intensity). Moreover, people with mixed infections tended to have less bladder morbidity than those with single S. haematobium infections (OR = 0.3 (95% CI 0.1-1.1)). This effect appeared to be related to ectopic S. mansoni egg elimination in urine. Hepatic fibrosis on the other hand was not related to S. mansoni infection intensity (OR = 0.9 (95% CI 0.6-1.3)), nor to mixed infections (OR = 1.0 (95% CI 0.7-1.7)). Conclusions/Significance: This is the first population-wide study on the relationship between mixed Schistosoma infections and morbidity. Mixed infections did not increase the risk of S. mansoni-associated morbidity. They even tended to reduce the risk of S. haematobium-associated morbidity, suggesting a protective effect of S. mansoni infection on bladder morbidity. These unexpected results may have important consequences for schistosomiasis control in co-endemic areas and warrant further investigation. © 2012 Meurs et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Meurs, Lynn
Belgium, Antwerpen
Prins Leopold Instituut Voor Tropische Geneeskunde
Mbow, Moustapha
Senegal, Dakar
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Aristide le Dantec de Dakar
Vereecken, Kim
Belgium, Antwerpen
Prins Leopold Instituut Voor Tropische Geneeskunde
Menten, Joris
Belgium, Antwerpen
Prins Leopold Instituut Voor Tropische Geneeskunde
Mboup, Souleymane
Senegal, Dakar
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Aristide le Dantec de Dakar
Polman, Katja
Belgium, Antwerpen
Prins Leopold Instituut Voor Tropische Geneeskunde
Statistics
Citations: 38
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 2
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1371/journal.pntd.0001829
ISSN:
19352727
e-ISSN:
19352735
Research Areas
Infectious Diseases
Maternal And Child Health
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Locations
Senegal