Maternal schistosomiasis: a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Schistosomiasis remains one of the most important tropical parasitic infections threatening millions of lives in endemic areas. Cases of infections due to Schistosoma spp, the diecious digenetic trematodes have been on the increase over the last decades. While considerable efforts have been made to reduce infections and morbidities in most endemic areas, these efforts seem to be tailored only towards a specific group (school-based resources). This bias towards school children in epidemiological studies has also been observed in various research efforts in sub-Saharan Africa, thus making it difficult to produce a reliable estimate of the extent of infection in other strata of the population at risk. In recent times, attention has been drawn to Schistosoma spp infections in infants and preschool children, while studies on epidemiology of maternal schistosomiasis still suffer neglect. Considering the potential morbidity of Schistosoma infections on the mothers, fetuses, and neonates, as evidenced in some animal models and human case studies, more attention is solicited in all areas of observational studies and clinical trials, for maternal schistosomiasis with the aim of providing relevant data and information for effective management of the disease during pregnancy.

Schistosomiasis among pregnant women in Njombe-Penja health district, Cameroon

“…Infection with S. haematobium had a negative effect, causing a reduction of blood levels. The contribution of schistosomiasis in inducing anaemia in pregnant women has been documented [16]. The findings in this study are consistent with previous studies.…”

“…Our result is similar to that reported by Siegrist and Siegrist-Obimpeh in Ghana (4.5%) [35]. However, it is lower than that reported in Nigeria by Eyo et al [16], Salawu and Odaibo [18], and in Munyengue, South-West of Cameroon by Anchang-Kimbi et al [20]. The study population in Munyengue (Cameroon) and in Nigeria was highly exposed to S. haematobium infection, due to their absolute dependence on natural water sources for domestic activities and bathing.…”

“…Epidemiological data on schistosomiasis during pregnancy are scarce in sub-Saharan Africa as most of studies are focused on schoolchildren [16]. In Cameroon, few studies on maternal schistosomiasis have been reported [17][18][19][20].…”

<i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> and Soil Transmitted Helminth (STH) Infections among Pregnant Women Attending Primary Health Care Facilities in Lagos Mainland, Nigeria

“…However, exclusion of other groups, oftentimes comprising the adult population, makes re-infection almost inevitable in low resource rural endemic regions of the developing countries. These neglected groups (pregnant women Journal of Biosciences and Medicines are inclusive) which are believed not to be sufficiently exposed to infection and often left untreated could serve as reservoirs of infection, bringing the distribution of the disease to pre-control level over time [1]. Hookworm infection occurs in almost half of Sub-saharan Africa's poorest people, including 40 -50 million school-aged children and 7 million pregnant women in whom it is a leading cause of anaemia.…”

Treading the Path towards Genetic Control of Snail Resistance to Schistosome Infection

“…The eggs are highly immunogenic and are majorly responsible for disease outcomes by triggering localized pathologic reactions within the human host [ 4 , 7 , 8 ]. Although human infection with Schistosoma species may cause non-specific but incapacitating systemic morbidities such as malnutrition, anemia, and impaired physical and cognitive development in children, poor birth outcomes in infected pregnant women, and neurological aberrations, S. haematobium is specifically responsible for urogenital pathologies, while other Schistosoma species majorly cause gastrointestinal complications, but also hepatosplenic enlargement, ascites, and portal hypertension in advanced cases [ 3 , 7 , 9 , 10 ]. Again, there is growing evidence that female urogenital schistosomiasis poses an increased risk of HIV transmission and/or progression [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”