The detection limits for estimates of infection intensity in schistosomiasis mansoni established by a study in non-human primates.
In human schistosomiasis mansoni, it is impossible to directly determine worm burden and hence infection intensity, so surrogates must be used. Studies on non-human primates revealed a linear relationship between worm burden and three surrogates, faecal egg output, circulating anodic and circulating cathodic antigens. By regression, the thresholds of detection were determined as 40, 24 and 47 worms, respectively. These observations provide a quantitative basis for the contention that low intensity infections in humans are being missed. The significance for estimates of disease prevalence, evaluation of the effects of chemotherapy and the implementation of vaccine trials is emphasised.
Alan Wilson
R
R
Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom.
van Dam
Govert J
GJ
Kariuki
Thomas M
TM
Farah
Idle O
IO
Deelder
André M
AM
Coulson
Patricia S
PS
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D048530:Papio anubis / Q000097:blood / Q000469:parasitology*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated