BACKGROUND Handheld light microscopy using compact optics and mobile phones may improve the quality of health care in resource-constrained settings by enabling access to prompt and accurate diagnosis. METHODOLOGY Laboratory technicians were trained to operate two handheld diagnostic devices (Newton Nm1 microscope and a clip-on version of the mobile phone-based CellScope). The accuracy of thes...

PURPOSE Schistosomiasis remains a major public health concern in Sudan, particularly Schistosoma haematobium infection. This study presents the disease-reduction outcomes of an integrated control program for schistosomiasis in Al Jabalain locality of White Nile State, Sudan from 2009 through 2011. METHODS The total population of the project sites was 482,902, and the major target group for in...

BACKGROUND A parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium and S. intercalatum infection among primary schoolchildren in capital area of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (DRSTP) was undertaken. METHODS Subjects with positive infection were confirmed by the detection of S. haematobium ova in the urine or S. intercalatum ova in the stool by using centrifugation concentration or ...

The construction of large dams has been shown to increase the prevalence and intensity of human schistosomiasis. However, until now no study had been carried out to assess the impact of such a project in Côte d'Ivoire. For Kossou and Taabo, two large dams which became operational in the 1970s, baseline data are available on schistosomiasis prevalence in the surrounding area before dam construct...

Recently a new panel of monoclonal antibodies was developed against soluble egg antigens in the hatching fluid of Schistosoma mansoni. These antibodies have been used to develop an improved ELISA for the detection of circulating soluble egg antigens in serum and urine that would have a higher sensitivity in the immunodiagnosis of S. mansoni infections. Although these antibodies showed no improv...

BACKGROUND Urogenital schistosomiasis is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa, and routine programs for screening and treatment of pregnant women are not established. Mefloquine-currently evaluated as a potential alternative to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine as intermittent preventive treatment against malaria in pregnancy (IPTp)-is known to exhibit activity against Schistosoma haemat...

BACKGROUND Malaria, schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminth infections (STH) are important parasitic infections in Sub-Saharan Africa where a significant proportion of people are exposed to co-infections of more than one parasite. In Tanzania, these infections are a major public health problem particularly in school and pre-school children. The current study investigated malaria and helmi...

INTODUCF1ON SCHISTOSOMES that infect domestic animals are of great economic importance, and may even cause death in cattle and sheep.' These parasites may also at times infest man, the most important of the several species being Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni. They are the subject of the present discussion. Both these parasites have a complicated, but similar, life cycle. Matur...

Some factors influencing the epidemiology of urinary schistosomiasis were studied at Ifakara between 1978 and 1980. Ifakara is situated in the fertile plain of the Kilombero river in the south-eastern part of Tanzania. The overall prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection among primary school children (6-19 years) in the Ifakara agglomeration was 21% (730/3478). The highest prevalence was...

To the Editor: Buruli ulcer caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans was recognized in 1997 as an emerging public health problem by the World Health Organization (WHO) (1). The disease is found in tropical Africa, the Americas, Australia, and Asia (2). In Benin, severe disease with serious complications is reported with increasing frequency. Buruli ulcer causes serious deformities and disability, parti...