title: [Urban schistosomiasis in Cameroon: a longitudinal study of its transmission in a new site of an extension of the intestinal schistosomiasis focus in Mélen, Yaoundé].
abstract: In order to to set up the present situation on schistosomiasis in the neighbourhoods around the University of Yaounde I campus, a malacological survey (collection of freshwater snails, their identification and tests on cercarial emergence) was carried out monthly over 12 months in 2 water sources, followed by a parasitological diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis in subjects who acknowledge having come into contact with the infested water course. The malacological survey revealed 4 freshwater gastropod species, two (Bulinus globosus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi) of which are intermediate hosts of schistosomes. Biomphalaria pfeifferi specimens from the former quarry pond of Ngoa-Ekellé neighbourhood showed an average infestation rate of 9.7%, and emitted schistosome cercariae throughout the whole period of study The parasitological diagnosis included 112 (81.2%) out of the 138 individuals identified, including 55 males and 57 females; 27 out of the 112 subjects had S. mansoni eggs in stools, making a prevalence rate of 24.1%. These patients were composed of 21 males and 6 females. The prevalence of S. mansoni is therefore significantly higher in males. The average parasitic load for our sample was 248 eggs/g of stools. It was much higher (384 eggs/g stools) for males (280 eggs/g stools) than for females (136 eggs/g stools). The differences of prevalences and parasitic loads between sex can be explained in part by the varying activities of interest according to the different groups in the infested watering places.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de biologie générale, Faculté des sciences, Université de Yaoundé 1, BP 812, Yaoundé, Cameroun. fnjiokou@uycdc.uninet.cm
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Njiokou
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Onguene Onguene
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Tchuem Tchuente
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kenmogne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000469:parasitology*; D002033:Bulinus / Q000469:parasitology*; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002980:Climate; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004199:Disease Vectors; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D015995:Prevalence; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*; D014876:Water Pollution; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D014867:Water