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Schistosoma japonicum infection among migrant fishermen in the Dongting Lake region of China

1991; Oxford University Press; Volume: 85; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0035-9203(91)90370-e

1878-3503

Y.S. Li, D. B. Yu,

Child Nutrition and Water Access

An epidemiological survey of Schistosoma japonicum infection was made among 316 persons, fishermen and their family members, in 5 sites of the Dongting Lake region. Their medical history was taken and physical and stool examinations were carried out. The infected persons were divided into 3 groups; 2 were treated with one or 2 doses of praziquantel and one, the control group, was given no treatment. The results showed a high overall prevalence of 41% with an intensity of infection of 34 eggs per gram (epg) in a single stool specimen. The individuals with a history of treatment had a lower prevalence (45 167, 26 · 9%) than those with no history of treatment (85 149, 57%) (P < 0 · 01). The mean intensity of infection of the treated group, 27 · 8 epg, was also lower than that of the untreated group, 39 · 1 epg (P<0 · 01). Symptoms within the past 2 weeks were reported by 31% of the individuals surveyed. Individuals excreting eggs had a higher rate of symptoms (56 · 2%) than those not excreting eggs (13 · 4%) (P < 0 · 01). The proportions of those not excreting eggs in the treated groups were 77 · 8% and 84 · 1%, compared with 14 · 6% in the control group. The survey revealed relatively high endemicity among fishermen and their family members. Treatment and health education of fishermen should be encouraged to control transmission.