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. 2011 May;84(5):787-91.
doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2011.10-0685.

Schistosomiasis among young children in Usoma, Kenya

Jennifer R Verani  1 , Bernard Abudho, Susan P Montgomery, Pauline N M Mwinzi, Hillary L Shane, Sara E Butler, Diana M S Karanja, W Evan Secor
Affiliations

Schistosomiasis among young children in Usoma, Kenya

Jennifer R Verani et al. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2011 May.

Abstract

Although schistosomiasis burden is greatest among school-age children (SAC) (6-15 years of age), infection among preschool-age children (PSAC) (1-5 years), may be underestimated in endemic areas. We conducted a cross-sectional study evaluating Schistosoma mansoni infection among children 1-15 years of age in a highly endemic community in Kenya. Diagnostic tests included stool exam (Kato/Katz technique), serum testing for schistosome-specific antibodies, and urine testing for circulating cathodic antigen (CCA). Overall, 268 SAC and 216 PSAC were enrolled; prevalence increased with age, with 14% of 1 year olds and more than 90% of children > 10 years of age infected. Stool exam was more sensitive among SAC than PSAC, but performance was similar after adjusting for infection intensity (based on CCA). Schistosomiasis poses a threat to PSAC in endemic areas, and stool exam may underestimate the prevalence of infection. Control programs in such areas should consider PSAC in addition to SAC.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: This work is published with the permission of the Director, Kenya Medical Research Institute.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Schistosoma mansoni infection prevalence by stool and/or schistosome adult worm protein (SWAP) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by age.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni, malaria, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm, and Ascaris lumbricoides infections by age.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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