title: Comparative Assessment of Health Benefits of Praziquantel Treatment of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Preschool and Primary School-Aged Children.
abstract: Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem in Africa. However, it is only recently that its burden has become recognised as a significant component impacting on the health and development of preschool-aged children. A longitudinal study was conducted in Zimbabwean children to determine the effect of single praziquantel treatment on Schistosoma haematobium-related morbidity markers: microhaematuria, proteinuria, and albuminuria. Changes in these indicators were compared in 1-5 years versus 6-10 years age groups to determine if treatment outcomes differed by age. Praziquantel was efficacious at reducing infection 12 weeks after treatment: cure rate = 94.6% (95% CI: 87.9-97.7%). Infection rates remained lower at 12 months after treatment compared to baseline in both age groups. Among treated children, the odds of morbidity at 12 weeks were significantly lower compared to baseline for proteinuria: odds ratio (OR) = 0.54 (95% CI: 0.31-0.95) and albuminuria: OR = 0.05 (95% CI: 0.02-0.14). Microhaematuria significantly reduced 12 months after treatment, and the effect of treatment did not differ by age group: OR = 0.97 (95% CI: 0.50-1.87). In conclusion, praziquantel treatment has health benefits in preschool-aged children exposed to S. haematobium and its efficacy on infection and morbidity is not age-dependent.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK.
authors.forename: Welcome M
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1800-1584
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Wami
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK.
authors.forename: Norman
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9704-2148
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nausch
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5789-5277
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Midzi
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Child Care, Murewa District Hospital, Murewa, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Reggis
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gwisai
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Zimbabwe, P.O. Box MP167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe; School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa.
authors.forename: Takafira
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mduluza
authors.affiliation: Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK.
authors.forename: Mark E J
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Woolhouse
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology and Infection Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK; Centre for Immunity, Infection and Evolution, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Charlotte Auerbach Road, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, UK.
authors.forename: Francisca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mutapi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003710:Demography; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000187:drug effects; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D012574:Schools; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000469:parasitology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D011223:Praziquantel