Epidemiological and morbidity assessment of Schistosoma japonicum infection in a migrant fisherman community, the Dongting Lake region, China.
We assessed the epidemiology and morbidity related to Schistosoma japonicum infection by both parasitological (Kato-Katz method and miracidium hatching test) and ultrasound examination in a migrant fisherman community (n = 106) from the Dongting Lake region in China in 2001. A prevalence of 69.8% and a mean infection intensity of 66.5 eggs per gram (epg) were recorded for this group. Males had a higher level of infection (77%) and intensity (92.2 epg) compared with females (58% and 28.6 epg, respectively). Subjects aged 11-20 years had the highest prevalence of infection (91%) and the heaviest infection intensity (85.3 epg) among all age groups. Twenty-six percent of the subjects had not been treated previously for schistosomiasis. Parenchymal fibrosis (> or = stage II) detected by ultrasound and spleen enlargement (or splenectomy) occurred in 37% and 9% of subjects, respectively. Portal vein dilation was detected in 18% subjects, and 58% (11/19) of those patients with portal vein enlargement were shown to have parenchymal fibrosis (> or = stage II). These results indicate that S. japonicum infection and related morbidity in mobile fisherman is still unacceptably high despite the fact that China has implemented a Schistosomiasis Control Project financed by a World Bank Loan for a period of 8 years since 1992. Clearly, new approaches for schistosomiasis control, especially in communities like these mobile fishermen, should be explored.
Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Australian Centre for International and Tropical Health and Nutrition, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Y S
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Li
Y K
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He
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Zeng
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McManus
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000469:parasitology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D005398:Fisheries; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000469:parasitology; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel