title: Prevention of gynecologic contact bleeding and genital sandy patches by childhood anti-schistosomal treatment.
abstract: Schistosoma haematobium infection may cause genital mucosal pathology in women with and without urinary schistosomiasis. This report seeks to explore the long-term effect of anti-schistosomal treatment on the clinical manifestations of S. haematobium infection in the lower genital tract. Prior treatment was reported by 248 (47%) of 527 women. Treatment received before the age of 20 years was significantly associated with the absence of sandy patches and contact bleeding, and this association was independent of current waterbody contact. Treatment in the past five years did not influence the prevalence of gynecologic schistosoma-induced lesions. The study indicates that early treatment may be more efficient for gynecologic morbidity control. Findings warrant an exploration into several chemotherapeutic agents administered at an early age, as well as in adults.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Ullevaal University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. e.f.kjetland@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Eyrun Floerecke
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Kjetland
authors.forename: Patricia D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Ndhlovu
authors.forename: Edith Nyaradzai
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Kurewa
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Midzi
authors.forename: Exnevia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gomo
authors.forename: Takafira
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mduluza
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friis
authors.forename: Svein Gunnar
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Gundersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000652:urine*; D000980:Antiplatyhelmintic Agents; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D000980:Antiplatyhelmintic Agents; D012556:Schistosomicides