Summaryobjective To examine the role of socioeconomic situation in influencing the risk and intensity of infection with Schistosomiasis mansoni.methods Cross-sectional study in Walukuba Division bordering Lake Victoria, Jinja District. We assessed a random sample of 463 individuals aged 10-20 years for Schistosoma mansoni infection, water contact behaviour and treatment status with praziquantel as of the last mass treatment. Socioeconomic conditions of the participants' households were assessed by calculating a wealth index (based on type of housing and ownership of assets). Households were classified in four classes; multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of being infected with schistosomiasis. Intensities of infection with S. mansoni were compared across the classes of wealth index.results Wealth index emerged a risk factor for infection with S. mansoni after controlling for water contact and treatment with praziquantel. The adjusted odds ratio of being infected for the lowest level of wealth index compared to the highest was 10.42 (95% CI 3.38-32.36 P < 0.001). The intensity of infection decreased with wealth index Linearity F-ratio 13.91, 1 df, P < 0.001). The geometric egg count for those in the lowest wealth index was 230 (95% CI 199-279) compared to 114 (95% CI 80-162) for the highest wealth index.conclusions In addition to mass treatment with praziquantel, improving the socio-economic conditions of the population should be given priority.

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The effect of clavulanic acid on the in vitro activity of beta-lactam antibiotics against Bacteroides fragilis (154 strains) was tested. The MIC90 on 154 strains of B. fragilis tested was greater than 64 micrograms/ml for penicillin and cephalothin, and greater than 128 for ticarcillin alone. 32 strains of B. fragilis relatively resistant to the test beta-lactam antibiotics (most of them beta-lactamase producers) were retested with the addition of clavulanic acid. 90% of the strains were then inhibited by less than or equal to 8 micrograms/ml of penicillin and cephalothin, and by 32 micrograms/ml of ticarcillin. The strongest beta-lactamase producers were the most susceptible, and this was not influenced by change in pH of the diluent for clavulanic acid from 6.0 to 7.4. Both penicillin and cephalothin when combined with clavulanic acid were highly effective against B. fragilis but the therapeutic relevance of these combinations remains to be evaluated.

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