The global status of schistosomiasis and its control

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is being successfully controlled in many countries but remains a major public health problem, with an estimated 200 million people infected, mostly in Africa. Few countries in this region have undertaken successful and sustainable control programmes. The construction of water schemes to meet the power and agricultural requirements for development have lead to increasing transmission, especially of Schistosoma mansoni. Increasing population and movement have contributed to increased transmission and introduction of schistosomiasis to new areas. Most endemic countries are among the least developed whose health systems face difficulties to provide basic care at the primary health level. Constraints to control include, the lack of political commitment and infrastructure for public health interventions. Another constraint is that available anti-schistosomal drugs are expensive and the cost of individual treatment is a high proportion of the per capita drug budgets. There is need for increased support for schistosomiasis control in the most severely affected countries.

Comparative study of the effects of artemether and artesunate on juvenile and adult Schistosoma mansoni in experimentally infected mice

“…Praziquantel is safe and active against all schistosome species that can infect humans, and generally results in high cure and egg reduction rates (WHO, 1993). National control programmes in Brazil, China and Egypt have achieved impressive morbidity reductions, mainly due to largescale chemotherapy campaigns (CHITSULO et al, 2000). In recent years, the price of praziquantel has dropped substantially.…”

Tissue schistosomiasis in accra ghana: a retrospective histopathologic review at the korle-bu teaching hospital (2004-2011)

“…Tissue schistosomiasis is the third most neglected tropical disease in the world, being a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries in Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia, and affecting approximately 250 million people [1][2][3]. The prevalence of tissue schistosomiasis in this current study was 0.4%.…”

Association between Schistosomiasis mansoni and hepatitis C: systematic review

“…13 All studies described were conducted in developing countries since the 1970s, especially in Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Brazil, confi rming the impact of this disease in these countries. 13 The association between schistosomiasis and hepatitis C has been studied by many authors, showing the importance of research into this condition worldwide (Tables 1, 2 …”