[Significance of rapid evaluation indicators during the monitoring of graduated treatment against Schistosoma haematobium].
In the course of a large-scale treatment programme for the control of schistosomiasis in Niger, the authors evaluated the capacity of rapid assessment indicators to determine the impact of praziquantel on morbidity, as well as the moment when the renewal of treatment is required. In 10 villages belonging to 5 different irrigated project areas, the macroscopic aspect of urine from all children was followed during a control programme (before mass treatment and three years after intervention) and compared to the results of examinations performed simultaneously in pupils of the same age (7-15 years) from schools of the same villages. In these sentinel schools, parasitological (oviuria), clinical (macroscopic aspect of urine and microhaematuria) and ultrasonographic indicators were able to measure the level of endemia before treatment, the impact of the treatment and the evolution of both the prevalence and the morbidity during the three years following the treatment. Rapid assessment indicators, and in particular macroscopic aspect of urine: cloudy urine as versus bloody urine, clearly reflected the evolution of parasitological and ultrasonographic indicators after treatment with praziquantel. Cloudy urine indicated the prevalence of infection, while bloody urine indicated the morbidity due to S. haematobium. The agreement of results obtained in sentinel schools and village children made it possible to organise a surveillance system using these rapid assessment indicators in an area endemic for S. haematobium. Likewise, the control programme and the moment for treatment renewal can now be monitored.
Chippaux
J P
JP
Centre de recherche sur les méningites et les schistosomoses, CERMES/OCCGE, B.P. 10887, Niamey, Niger.
Campagne
G
G
Garba
A
A
Véra
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D009548:Niger; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000652:urine; D014556:Urine / Q000469:parasitology
D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel