Evaluation of specific serum anti-Giardia IgM antibody response in diagnosis of giardiasis in children.

Diagnosis of Giardia intestinalis infection is usually made by examination of stool specimens and/or by more invasive methods such as microscopy of duodenal juice or small bowel mucosal biopsies. Serological diagnostic methods have been developed but have not been evaluated in children. In this study specific anti-Giardia immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgG and IgA antibody titres were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Giardia parasites were sought in jejunal mucosal biopsies and in faeces from 72 children in The Gambia, West Africa; 50 jejunal biopsies, 271 stool samples and 95 serum samples were examined for evidence of Giardia infection. As a diagnostic test, a raised specific anti-Giardia IgM antibody titre (greater than or equal to 1:800) had a sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 93%, with a positive predictive value of 85% and a negative predictive value of 81%. There was poor correlation between positive microscopical identification of Giardia and elevated specific anti-Giardia IgG or IgA antibody titres in children on admission to the study. Elevated serum anti-Giardia IgM, however, was correlated well with active Giardia infection and may prove useful in epidemiological studies of giardiasis in developing countries.     

Self-reported hepatitis A vaccination as a predictor of hepatitis A virus antibody protection in U.S. adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2012

ObjectivesTo estimate the predictive value of self-reported hepatitis A vaccine (HepA) receipt for the presence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibody (anti-HAV) from either past infection or vaccination, as an indicator of HAV protection.MethodsUsing 2007–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, we assigned participants to 4 groups based on self-reported HepA receipt and anti-HAV results. We compared characteristics across groups and calculated three measures of agreement between self-report and serologic status (anti-HAV): percentage concordance, and positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values. Using logistic regression we investigated factors associated with agreement between self-reported vaccination status and serological results.ResultsDemographic and other characteristics varied significantly across the 4 groups. Overall agreement between self-reported HepA receipt and serological results was 63.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 61.9–65.2); PPV and NPV of self-reported vaccination status for serological result were 47.0% (95% CI 44.2–49.8) and 69.4% (95% CI 67.0–71.8), respectively. Mexican American and foreign-born adults had the highest PPVs (71.5% [95% CI 65.9–76.5], and 75.8% [95% CI 71.4–79.7]) and the lowest NPVs (21.8% [95% CI 18.5–25.4], and 20.0% [95% CI 17.2–23.1]), respectively. Young (ages 20–29 years), US-born, and non-Hispanic White adults had the lowest PPVs (37.9% [95% CI 34.5–41.5], 39.1% [95% CI, 36.0–42.3], and 39.8% [36.1–43.7]), and the highest NPVs (76.9% [95% CI 72.2–81.0, 78.5% [95% CI 76.5–80.4)], and 80.6% [95% CI 78.2–82.8), respectively. Multivariate logistic analyses found age, race/ethnicity, education, place of birth and income to be significantly associated with agreement between self-reported vaccination status and serological results.ConclusionsWhen assessing hepatitis A protection, self-report of not having received HepA was most likely to identify persons at risk for hepatitis A infection (no anti-HAV) among young, US-born and non-Hispanic White adults, and self-report of HepA receipt was least likely to be reliable among adults with the same characteristics.     

Concordance of self-reported varicella history and serology among adolescent and adult refugee patients at a primary care clinic in Toronto,Canada

BackgroundPrevious studies have found higher rates of varicella susceptibility among migrants from tropical regions. This study seeks to estimate the prevalence of varicella susceptibility in a cohort of newly arrived refugees and refugee claimants at a primary care clinic in Toronto and to compare patients’ self-reported history of varicella infection with serologic test results.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of 1888 refugee patients aged 13 years and older rostered at a specialized primary care clinic in Toronto from December 2011 to October 2017. Basic sociodemographic variables, self-reported varicella history, and varicella serologic results were examined.ResultsBased on serologic testing, 8.5% of individuals were varicella non-immune, with highest rates of varicella susceptibility among adolescents aged 13–19 years (13.5%). All adults over age 60 were varicella immune on serology (n = 56). A positive self-reported history of varicella infection was strongly predictive of varicella immunity on serology (PPV 96.8%; 95% CI: 95.2–97.9). A self-reported history of no prior varicella infection did not correlate reliably with serologic test results (NPV 15.8%; 95% CI: 13.3–18.0). A substantial proportion of patients (34.1%) were unsure of their varicella history.ConclusionIdentification and immunization of varicella susceptible refugee newcomers remains a health care priority. Self-reported history of varicella infection had mixed reliability as a predictor of varicella immunity.     

Strongyloides cf. fuelleborni and hookworm in Papua New Guinea: patterns of infection within the community

The results of quantitative stool examinations from a large number of rural Papua New Guineans permitted the establishment of age-prevalence and age-intensity profiles and frequency distributions of both Strongyloides cf. fuelleborni and hookworm. Strongyloides exhibited a unique age-prevalence profile which originated at about 40% in the youngest age group, rose to a maximum in those 4-5 years old, and then declined. The intensity of infection reached its peak in 12 month olds before declining. The frequency distribution of Strongyloides egg counts was markedly over-dispersed: k values were below 0.1 for most age groups. Both prevalence and intensity of infection curves for hookworm followed similar patterns, which were typical for the parasite, rising to a maximum at about age 9 years, and then forming a plateau. The distribution of hookworm egg counts was less over-dispersed than that of Strongyloides, the k values rising until about 10 years of age and then remaining stable with a value of about 0.7. With both parasites there was little difference in prevalence or intensity of infection between the sexes, although adult males tended to have higher levels for both quantities.     

Intestinal parasites in Cambodians: comparison of diagnostic methods used in screening refugees with implications for treatment of populations with high rates of infestation

We performed a retrospective review of screening parasitology examinations on a Cambodian refugee population served by an urban neighborhood health center. Five-hundred twenty of 1084 patients were examined for ova and parasites either by purged stool, which was examined immediately, or preserved stool, examined at a teaching hospital and proprietary laboratories. Overall, 335 (64 percent) of the tested patients had at least one parasite. The prevalence of infection varied by test technique (purged stool examined immediately, 86 percent; preserved stool examined at a hospital, 65 percent; preserved stool sent to a proprietary laboratory, 31 percent, P less than 0.01). In this population where Entamoeba histolytica infection was 44 percent as measured by the purged warm stool technique, the cold preserved stool test had a measured relative sensitivity of 33 percent. Assuming a selectivity of 99 percent, it would take eight negative tests to reach a greater than 95 percent negative predictive value. The high rate of intestinal carriage of pathogenic parasites in this population and the insensitivity of commonly available diagnostic tests make routine presumptive treatment of intestinal parasites an option when the purged stool examination is unavailable.     

ELISA法检测血清IgM抗体诊断急性期手足口病患儿CV-A16感染效能的Meta分析

目的 定量评价酶联免疫吸附测定法(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测血清CV-A16 免疫球蛋白M(IgM)抗体的诊断效能。方法 制定相应的研究目标和检索策略,系统地检索中、外文数据库,以HFMD患儿急性期呼吸道/或肠道标本CV-A16核酸检测为“参考标准”,采用Meta分析及Meta回归的方法,定量地评价ELISA法检测血清CV-A16 IgM抗体诊断HFMD患儿CV-A16感染的效能。结果 基于随机效应评估9篇原始研究,ELISA法诊断HFMD患儿CV-A16感染效能的合并灵敏度为65%(95%CI:47%～81%),合并特异度为92%(95%CI:88%～95%),合并阳性预测值为61%(95%CI:33%～85%),合并阴性预测值为93%(95%CI: 90%～96%),合并曲线下面积为0.92±0.04; Meta回归发现研究样本量大小、CV-A16病例占比是导致不同研究结果灵敏度及阳性预测值异质性的主要因素。结论 目前的ELISA试剂盒检测血清CV-A16 IgM的诊断效能相对较差,临床应用需谨慎,仍需要进一步加强ELISA法试剂盒的研发。     

Outbreak of varicella-zoster virus infection among Thai healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between self-report of a prior history of chickenpox and results of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) immunoglobulin (Ig) G serologic test results in an outbreak of VZV infection among Thai healthcare workers (HCWs) and to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of establishing routine VZV immunization as part of an occupational health program on the basis of the outbreak data. METHODS: All exposed patients received prophylaxis and the HCWs in our 3 intensive care units (ICUs) were prospectively evaluated. HCWs were assessed for disease history and serologic evidence of VZV IgG. A cost-benefit analysis was performed. RESULTS: After 140 HCWs and 18 ICU patients were exposed to VZV, 10 HCWs (7%) with active VZV infection were relieved from work until skin lesions were crusted. Acyclovir (ACV) was prescribed to all 10 HCWs with active disease, and all 18 exposed patients received prophylaxis with ACV. Of 140 HCWs, 100 consented to longitudinal follow-up. Twenty-three (100%) of the HCWs who reported a history of chickenpox also had serologic test results that were positive for VZV IgG, compared with 30 (39%) of 77 HCWs who reported no prior history of chickenpox, yet had test results that were positive for VZV IgG. Reported history of chickenpox had a sensitivity of 43%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 61% with respect to VZV infection immunity. The total cost estimate for this outbreak investigation was $23,087. CONCLUSIONS: An HCW's reported history of chickenpox was a reliable predictor of immunity; a report of no prior history of chickenpox was unreliable. Our cost-benefit analysis suggests that the costs of an occupational health program that included VZV surveillance and immunization for the next 323 HCWs would be approximately equal to the excess costs of $17,227 for the ACV therapy, HCW furloughs, and staff overtime associated with this outbreak.     

Endemic amebiasis in an Arkansas community.

Parasitologic, serologic, and epidemiologic studies were done during 1967 in Calion, Arkansas (population 544). Infection with Entamoeba histolytica was found to be endemic but was segregated along racial lines. Twenty-two (9.9%) black compared with only one (0.6%) white had E. histolytica demonstrated in one stool examination; only two blacks had symptoms suggestive of amebiasis. No positive amebiasis indirect hemaggulination titers were found in 135 white residents. In contrast, 41 (17.9%) blacks had positive titers. Age, sex, and geographic location were not associated with stool or seropositivity. Within the black population, clustering of stool and seropositivity occurred. Significantly higher rates of stool and seropositivity were seen in households with crowding and poor sanitation as evidenced by lack of indoor toilet facilities. The presence of contaminated water supplies did not correlate with stool or seropositivity. The probable importance of person-to-person transmission is suggested by the observed clustering of infection within households with crowding and unsanitary conditions. The absence of evidence for transmission by food or water further supports this hypothesis.     

57例沙门氏菌感染患者的临床特征及耐药情况分析

目的分析57例沙门氏菌感染患者的临床特征及耐药情况,了解沙门氏菌对常用抗生素的敏感性。方法收集我院2016年1月至2019年2月期间收治的57例沙门氏菌感染患者临床资料,住院后常规行血尿便常规检查,同时行粪便细菌培养及药敏实验。结果57例患者中,临床症状发生率最高为腹痛、腹泻(57例,100.00%),平均(7.46±2.03)次;其他依次为恶心、呕吐(45例,78.95%),发热(43例,75.44%),头痛(34例,59.65%),里急后重(26例,45.61%)及脱水(25例,43.86%)。辅助检查便常规结果显示,粪便白细胞阳性51例(89.47%);粪便隐血试验阳性45例(78.95%)。尿常规结果显示,尿蛋白阳性45例(78.95%);尿潜血试验阳性38例(66.67%)。血常规结果显示白细胞计数平均值为(9.98±4.22)×109/L,中性粒细胞平均占79%,C-反应蛋白平均值为(60.15±32.48)mg/L。药敏结果显示对头孢类和喹诺酮类抗生素耐药菌株所占比例较大。结论本地区沙门氏菌感染以腹痛、腹泻为主,粪便检测及尿常规检测对诊断更有价值。临床治疗过程中应加强对喹诺酮类及头孢类抗生素的耐药检测,为合理化用药提供依据。     

2010年安顺市西秀区吸毒人群HIV、HCV和梅毒监测

目的了解西秀区社区吸毒人群HIV、HCV和梅毒感染情况,为预防控制艾滋病、HCV和梅毒流行提供科学依据。方法对辖区内的400名吸毒人员进行问卷调查和血清学检测。结果吸毒人员以男性为主,占81.5%,青壮年居多。吸毒方式以注射吸毒为主,占调查数的57%。HIV感染率为2%（8/400）,HCV感染率为55.25%（221/400）,梅毒感染率为9.5%（38/399）。结论吸毒人群中HIV、HCV和梅毒感染较重,应加强对吸毒人群的监测,开展防病知识宣传教育和行为干预,控制艾滋病等传染病的蔓延和流行。     

Gelatin particle indirect agglutination and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of strongyloidiasis using Strongyloides venezuelensis antigen

Routine microscopical examination of stool specimens for diagnosis of strongyloidiasis is insensitive and serological methods using Strongyloides stercoralis antigen are at present not available for field studies. We evaluated 2 techniques, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gelatin particle indirect agglutination (GPIA), using an antigen obtained from the rodent parasite, S. venezuelensis. Fifty-four Peruvian patients with different clinical forms of strongyloidiasis were studied: 12 asymptomatic, 31 symptomatic, and 11 hyperinfection cases. Our results demonstrate that both ELISA and GPIA using S. venezuelensis antigen are useful for diagnosis of strongyloidiasis, with sensitivities of 74.1% and 98.2%, respectively and a specificity of 100% for both techniques. We found that GPIA is a highly sensitive test for patients with suspected chronic infection and/or hyperinfection. In the hyperinfection cases, significantly lower concentrations of specific immunoglobulin antibodies and eosinophils (P < 0.001) were found compared with the asymptomatic and symptomatic cases.     

Clustering of Helicobacter pylori infection in couples: differences between high- and low-prevalence population groups

PURPOSE: Several mostly small-scale studies reported clustering of Helicobacter pylori infections as a possible indicator of conjugal transmission, but results have been inconsistent. We assessed clustering of H pylori infections in a large community-based study from Germany that included both high-prevalence and low-prevalence population subgroups. METHODS: Current H pylori infection was determined among 670 couples by means of carbon-13-urea breath test ((13)C-UBT) breath test and a monoclonal antigen immunoassay for H pylori in stool. RESULTS: Prevalences of infection among women were 34.9% (51 of 146 women) if the partner was infected and 14.5% (76 of 524 women) if the partner was not infected. Stratification by nationality showed a strong association of infection for partners with other than German nationality (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 6.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-17.96), for whom prevalence of infection was greater than 50%, whereas no association was seen for German partners born in Germany (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.47-2.61), for whom infection prevalence was approximately 10% (p for interaction = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Conjugal transmission of infection caused by H pylori is unlikely to be of relevance in low-prevalence population groups. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis of a potential role of conjugal transmission of H pylori infection in high-prevalence population groups.     

Associations between mild-to-moderate anaemia in pregnancy and helminth, malaria and HIV infection in Entebbe, Uganda

It is suggested that helminths, particularly hookworm and schistosomiasis, may be important causes of anaemia in pregnancy. We assessed the associations between mild-to-moderate anaemia (haemoglobin >8.0 g/dl and <11.2 g/dl) and helminths, malaria and HIV among 2507 otherwise healthy pregnant women at enrolment to a trial of deworming in pregnancy in Entebbe, Uganda. The prevalence of anaemia was 39.7%. The prevalence of hookworm was 44.5%, Mansonella perstans 21.3%, Schistosoma mansoni 18.3%, Strongyloides 12.3%, Trichuris 9.1%, Ascaris 2.3%, asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia 10.9% and HIV 11.9%. Anaemia showed little association with the presence of any helminth, but showed a strong association with malaria (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.22, 95% CI 2.43-4.26) and HIV (AOR 2.46, 95% CI 1.90-3.19). There was a weak association between anaemia and increasing hookworm infection intensity. Thus, although highly prevalent, helminths showed little association with mild-to-moderate anaemia in this population, but HIV and malaria both showed a strong association. This result may relate to relatively good nutrition and low helminth infection intensity. These findings are pertinent to estimating the disease burden of helminths and other infections in pregnancy. [Clinical Trial No. ISRCTN32849447].     

Health status assessment of drug addicts in Alexandria

The case-control study was conducted among addicts in Alexandria to determine the different health problems among them, as well as to study the correlation between addiction and these problems. One hundred drug addicts and eighty apparently healthy controls were included in this study. The whole sample was subjected to the following: filling a predesigned questionnaire sheet, clinical and electrocardiogram (ECG) examination, measurements of Body Mass Index (BMI), complete blood picture and antistreptolysin O titre (ASO), testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti HBc), skin scrapings from superficial fungal lesions in addition to complete urine and stool examination. The results revealed that chest rhonchi, hepatomegaly, central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities, skin lesions lymphadenopathy, underweight and anaemia were significantly higher among addicts than the controls. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure and HBsAg seropositivity were found 48.0% and 21.0%, respectively among addicts compared to 26.3% and 5.0%, respectively among the controls. The intravenous injections and tattooing were the most risky routes for HBV infection among addicts. A positive correlation was revealed between HBV exposure and both the duration and the number of daily injections. Chest X-ray suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis were found in 7.0% of the addicts. Addiction potentiated the risk of fungal infection among low social class, but it had no effect on the relationship between anaemia and social class nor on that between loss of appetite and underweight.     

Trend of immunity against measles and varicella zoster virus in healthcare workers in Korea

ObjectiveTo examine the seroprevalence of measles and varicella zoster virus (VZV) among healthcare workers (HCW) and evaluate the concordance between self-reported history of previous disease or vaccination and seropositivity.DesignA seroprevalence study and survey.SettingA university-affiliated tertiary care hospital.ParticipantsAll HCWs working in high-risk services in 2017 underwent serologic tests and survey; all new HCWs employed in the subsequent years, serologic tests only.MethodsA serologic study was conducted using chemiluminescence immunoassay (2017) or enzyme immunoassays (2018 and later). HCWs who underwent serological testing in 2017 completed a self-administered questionnaire on their history of infection and vaccination.ResultsA total of 10,278 and 9607 HCWs underwent serologic tests for measles and VZV IgG, respectively, from 2017 to 2022. The overall seropositivity rates for measles and VZV were 78.1 % and 92.8 %, respectively. Measles seropositivity declined gradually from >90 % in the HCWs born in the 1960s to <80 % in those born in the 1990s. There was a significant difference in measles seropositivity between the birth cohorts (BCs) 1967–1984 and 1985–1999 (P < 0.001; odds ratio, 1.16; 95 % confidence interval, 1.14–1.18). The seropositivity for VZV was stable, at >90 % in all BCs. The self-reported vaccination history was not independently associated with seropositivity, and the negative predictive value of the survey was very low (9.6 % and 13.1 %, respectively).ConclusionsMeasles seropositivity showed a substantial decline among HCWs born in 1985 or later, while varicella seropositivity remained high. The self-reported vaccination history was not sufficiently reliable for screening HCWs.     

Risk behaviours and seroprevalence to HIV, HBV and HCV in patients of the AIDS information and prevention center in Valencia, Spain

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the sociodemographic and serologic profiles in a first time consultant population at the Information and AIDS Prevention Center of Valencia (Spain). In addition, the HIV infection risk factors were analyzed. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed on 1,573 persons who consulted during the year 1995. Sociodemographic and infection risk practices data were recorded and serologic information about HIV, HBV and HCV infection were obtained. Exact binomial method with a 95% interval confidence was used to calculate infection prevalence and the chi square test to make comparisons between qualitative variables. RESULTS: Sex distribution was 66,1% males and 31,9% females; mean age was 29,01 (SD: 9.2) years. Sexual intercourse without condom (25.2%) and parenteral drug abusers (22.6%) were the more frequent risk groups seeking consultation about HIV infection. Global HIV infection prevalence was 12.7% (95% CI= 11,2-14,5%). Among HIV seropositive patients, sexual transmission accounted for 30.8% of cases, of which 69.4% were heterosexual relations. The HIV infection prevalence for different risk groups were the following: parenteral drug abusers 36.8% (95% CI= 31,7-42%), heterosexual intercourse with an HIV-infected partner 24.1% (95% CI= 17,1-32,2%) and homosexual intercourse between men 9,5% (95% CI= 5,8-14,5%). HCV antibody prevalence for parenteral drug abusers was 81.2% (95% CI= 76,7-85,1%). Risk practices with a statistically significant association with HIV infection were: being an injecting drug abuser, as well as having an HIV infected and/or a injecting drug abuser partner. CONCLUSIONS: Drug parenteral abusers are still the target population for prevention programs. Data suggest that prevention and sexual education programs must continue. The main effort should be focused on the young population and on sexual partners of injecting drug abusers and/or HIV seropositive partners.     

安徽5县农村女性HPV感染及宫颈病变分析

目的 了解5个县农村女性人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染与宫颈病变分布特征,探讨宫颈癌防治对策。方法 2014年在安徽省5个县抽取21078名35~64岁农村妇女,进行高危亚型/高危分型HPV初筛,并根据HPV初筛结果进行宫颈细胞学、阴道镜、病理等进一步检查,分析HPV感染状况和型别以及病理检查结果。结果 21078名妇女HPV初筛阳性检出率为8.01%,其中检出率最高的16型占18.41%;5个县中HPV初筛阳性检出率为6.06%~9.43%,且各县6种常见型别HPV检出率排序不同,差异均有统计学意义;35~39岁HPV初筛阳性检出率最低,为6.90%,55~65岁最高,为8.94%,随着年龄增加检出率呈现上升趋势(P<0.05);HPV检测对于识别宫颈病变具有较高的灵敏度和阳性预测值,分别为98.44%和89.74%;HPV检测对于识别宫颈癌及癌前病变灵敏度和阴性预测值均为100.00%;宫颈癌和癌前病变检出率为488.66/10万,HPV初筛结果阳性者中宫颈癌和癌前病变检出率为9.18%。结论 安徽省5县HPV检出率存在地区差异,HPV检出率随年龄增长而增加,HPV初筛有助于宫颈早期病变的早发现和早干预。     

Distribution of human Oesophagostomum bifurcum, hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infections in northern Ghana

A cross-sectional study was carried out in 216 randomly selected, representative rural villages in the northeastern part of Ghana from March 1995 to May 1998. Inhabitants of randomly selected households, stratified by age and gender, were included. The geographical position of villages was recorded with a global positioning system (GPS). The prevalence of Oesophagostomum, hookworm and Strongyloides stercoralis infections in a study population of 20250 people was determined by microscopic examination of larvae in stool cultures. The overall prevalence was 10.2, 50.6 and 11.6% for the three nematodes, respectively. Hookworm infections were seen in all but one (99.5%) and S. stercoralis in 88.4% of the 216 villages, while Oesophagostomum infections were found to be common in a limited area with prevalences varying from 0 to 75%. An association was found between Oesophagostomum and hookworm infection, both at the individual and at the village level. Spatial analysis of the prevalence data indicated that the endemic area is relatively clearly demarcated to the south of the study area.     

Human intestinal schistosomiasis in communities living near three rivers of jimma town, South Western ethiopia

Background

Schistosoma mansoni is one of the parasites with high public and medical importance in Ethiopia. However, information is scarce about S. mansoni epidemiology in people living with higher risk of infection in Jimma town. This study was designed to determine point prevalence, intensity and risk factors of S. mansoni infection among residents nearby three rivers of Jimma town and assess the rate of Biomphalaria species shading cercariae from January to April, 2007.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in communities residing nearby three rivers of Jimma town. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data on socio- demographic and behavioral risk factors. After physical examination, stool samples were collected from 517 study participants and processed with Kato-Katz technique for microscopic examination and quantification of egg load. Snails were collected for identification of Biomphalaria species and then checked for cercarial shading.

Results

The prevalence of S. mansoni was 26.3 % with intensity ranging 24 to 936 eggs per gram of stool. Participants in the age group 10–19 years, OR = 2.19 (95% CI; 1.10 – 4.34), and those living near the Awetu River, OR = 2.67 (95% CI; 1.06 – 6.75), had higher risk of S. mansoni infection. Moreover, water contact while crossing a river, OR = 3.77 (95% CI; 1.79 – 7.95), and swimming, OR = 2.59 (95% CI; 1.37 – 4.91, was significantly associated with infection. Biomphalaria snails collected from Chore and Awetu Rivers shaded higher rate of cercariae compared with Kito River.

Conclusion

A moderate prevalence of S. mansoni infection was shown in the study population. Infection rate among the residents correlated with rate of cercarial shading Biomphalaria snails. Treatment of targeted groups, appropriate health education and environmental measures (e.g. snail control) are needed to improve the situation.