title: Morbidity indicators of Schistosoma mansoni: relationship between infection and anemia in Ugandan schoolchildren before and after praziquantel and albendazole chemotherapy.
abstract: The potential relationship between Schistosoma mansoni and anemia was examined using data obtained by the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) before (baseline) and 1 year after (follow-up) a chemotherapeutic treatment program in Uganda. Changes in hemoglobin (Hb) levels in 2,788 children in relation to their schistosomiasis and/or hookworm infection intensity category and baseline anemia status were analyzed. At baseline, significant predictors of childhood anemia were intensities of S. mansoni and hookworm infection. At follow-up, moderate or heavy hookworm as well as heavy S. mansoni infections were important. Children heavily infected with S. mansoni or hookworm had significantly lower Hb counts at baseline compared with those not infected. Among anemic children at the baseline survey, a significant increase in Hb counts of 0.834 g/dL after treatment was found. Our results suggest that anemia is associated with schistosomiasis and hookworm in Ugandan children and that such anemia shows a significant improvement after chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom. artemis.koukounari@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Artemis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koukounari
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fenwick
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Whawell
authors.forename: Narcis B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Kabatereine
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kazibwe
authors.forename: Edridah M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Tukahebwa
authors.forename: J Russell
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stothard
authors.forename: Christl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Joanne P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Webster
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015766:Albendazole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015995:Prevalence; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011223:Praziquantel; D015766:Albendazole