Parasitic infections in Black children in an endemic schistosomiasis area in Natal.
Urine and stool specimens from 856 school children aged from 7 to 20 years, and from 80 preschool children, were examined for Schistosoma haematobium and intestinal helminths and protozoa. S. haematobium was present in 57% with a peak of 81% in 13-14-year-old children. Peak intensity preceded peak incidence and egg loads gradually decreased with age. There was no clear-cut difference between boys and girls with regard to intestinal parasites, nor was there a close correlation between the incidence of Schistosoma spp. and that of the intestinal parasites. There was a considerable reduction in the incidence of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infestation with age.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013019:South Africa; D014257:Trichuriasis / Q000453:epidemiology