title: The combination of three faecal parasitological methods to improve the diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni in a low endemic setting in the state of Ceará, Brazil.
abstract: Laboratory diagnosis of intestinal schistosomiasis mansoni can be accomplished through various methods of stool examination to detect parasites, ranging from the most classic tests (Kato-Katz) to several methods that are still undergoing validation. This study was conducted to assess two new parasite identification methods for diagnosing schistosomiasis mansoni in residents of a low endemic area in the municipality of Maranguape, in the state of Ceará, Brazil using the Kato-Katz method as a reference and serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for the screening of patients. The Kato-Katz, the saline gradient method and the Helmintex(®) method parasite identification methods were employed only in subjects who exhibited positive serologic tests. The test results were then analysed and treatment of positive individuals was subsequently performed. After comparing the test results, we observed that the saline gradient method and the Helmintex(®) method were more effective in diagnosing schistosomiasis mansoni in the study area compared with the Kato-Katz method.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil. martacristhiany@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Marta Cristhiany Cunha
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Teiliane Rodrigues
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Carneiro
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia de Paula
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hanemann
authors.forename: Sara Menezes de
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Fernando Schemelzer Moraes
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Bezerra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000276:immunology*; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth