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.
Li
Y S
YS
Molecular Parasitology Laboratory, Australian Centre for International and Tropical Health and Nutrition, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
He
Y K
YK
Zeng
Q R
QR
McManus
D P
DP
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