Schistosomiasis of the lower reproductive tract without egg excretion in urine.
The individual and public health impact of female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) has been studied and FGS as a risk factor for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus is discussed. In a community-based study in Tanzania, 40% of the women of child-bearing age (n=543) showed excretion of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in the urine (median=2.2 eggs/10 ml of urine) and 32% (n=263) had S. haematobium eggs in their cervical tissue. Urinary and genital schistosomiasis coexisted in 62% of the women, but S. haematobium eggs were found in the cervix without detectable egg excretion in the urine in 23%. Only 43% of the FGS cases had hematuria. Since FGS frequently exists in women with scanty or no egg excretion in the urine and because this disease manifestation is a considerable individual and public health hazard in S. haematobium-endemic areas, mass treatment targeted to women of child-bearing age should be considered.
Poggensee
G
G
Institut für Tropenmedizin, Charité, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany.
Kiwelu
I
I
Saria
M
M
Richter
J
J
Krantz
I
I
Feldmeier
H
H
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012307:Risk Factors; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000652:urine; D013636:Tanzania