title: Comparing parasitological vs serological determination of Schistosoma haematobium infection prevalence in preschool and primary school-aged children: implications for control programmes.
abstract: To combat schistosomiasis, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that infection levels are determined prior to designing and implementing control programmes, as the treatment regimens depend on the population infection prevalence. However, the sensitivity of the parasitological infection diagnostic method is less reliable when infection levels are low. The aim of this study was to compare levels of Schistosoma haematobium infection obtained by the parasitological method vs serological technique. Infection levels in preschool and primary school-aged children and their implications for control programmes were also investigated. Infection prevalence based on serology was significantly higher compared with that based on parasitology for both age groups. The difference between infection levels obtained using the two methods increased with age. Consequentially, in line with the WHO guidelines, the serological method suggested a more frequent treatment regimen for this population compared with that implied by the parasitological method. These findings highlighted the presence of infection in children aged ⩽5 years, further reiterating the need for their inclusion in control programmes. Furthermore, this study demonstrated the importance of using sensitive diagnostic methods as this has implications on the required intervention controls for the population.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology & Infection Research,University of Edinburgh,Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3JT,UK.
authors.forename: Welcome M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Wami
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology & Infection Research,University of Edinburgh,Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3JT,UK.
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nausch
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology & Infection Research,University of Edinburgh,Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3JT,UK.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Health Research,P.O. Box CY 573, Causeway, Harare,Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Midzi
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Child Care,Murewa District Hospital, P.O. Box 60, Murewa,Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Reggis
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gwisai
authors.affiliation: Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution,University of Edinburgh,Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3JT,UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simmonds
authors.affiliation: University of Zimbabwe,Biochemistry Department, P.O. Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare,Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Takafira
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mduluza
authors.affiliation: Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution,University of Edinburgh,Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3JT,UK.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Woolhouse
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology & Infection Research,University of Edinburgh,Ashworth Laboratories, King's Buildings, West Mains Rd, Edinburgh EH9 3JT,UK.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mutapi
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015995:Prevalence; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D011223:Praziquantel