Assessment of morbidity in Schistosoma haematobium infection: current methods and future tools

• Published in: Acta tropica Vol. 77; no. 1; pp. 81 - 89
• Main Authors: Jyding Vennervald, B, Kahama, A.I, Reimert, C.M
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 23.10.2000; Elsevier
• Subjects: Africa; Africa - epidemiology; Animals; Antigens, Helminth - urine; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - urine; Blood Proteins - urine; Diseases caused by trematodes; Eosinophil Granule Proteins; Helminthic diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Morbidity; Parasite Egg Count; Parasitic diseases; Parasitology - trends; Prevalence; Ribonucleases; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma haematobium - immunology; Schistosomiases; Schistosomiasis haematobia - epidemiology; Schistosomiasis haematobia - parasitology; Schistosomiasis haematobia - urine; Tropical medicine; Ultrasonography; Urinary Bladder - diagnostic imaging; Urinary Bladder - parasitology; Urine - cytology; Worms; Worms; Schistosoma haematobium; Africa; Human; Urinary system disease; Trematode disease; Plathelmintha; Exploration; Parasitosis; Helminthiasis; Trematoda; Morbidity; Infection; Schistosomiasis; Urinary system; Helmintha; Invertebrata
• ISSN: 0001-706X; 1873-6254
• DOI: 10.1016/S0001-706X(00)00116-9

Recently, new potential tools for assessment of Schistosoma haematobium related morbidity have emerged. The tools are based on detection of S. haematobium egg antigens in urine or detection of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in urine, which may reflect the inflammatory response in the urinary tract. So far two markers have been assessed in long-term post treatment follow-up studies, allowing for an evaluation both before treatment and during regression and reappearance of infection and urinary tract morbidity. The results from these studies and the usefulness of the markers as morbidity assessment tools are discussed.