title: Schistosomiasis in African infants and preschool children: to treat or not to treat?
abstract: The occurrence of schistosomiasis in African infants and preschool children has been largely overlooked, with preventive chemotherapy usually focused on school-aged children instead. Two recent surveys by Bosompem et al. and Odogwu et al. have shown that schistosomiasis in younger children is much more common than previously thought. This article highlights the importance of the disease in this age group and discusses the future prospects for schistosomiasis control.
authors.affiliation: Wolfson Wellcome Biomedical Laboratories, Biomedical Parasitology Division, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK. r.stothard@nhm.ac.uk
authors.forename: J Russell
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Stothard
authors.forename: Albis-Francesco
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Gabrielli
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D014867:Water; D011223:Praziquantel