Current Status of Schistosomiasis in Egypt: Parasitologic and Endoscopic Study in Sharqia Governorate

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Endemic and Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.

2 Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.

3 Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.

4 Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.

5 Tropical Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt.

Abstract

Background and study aim: Schistosomiasis was endemic in Egypt since the ancient times. It was traditionally the most important public health problem. This study aimed to evaluate the current status of schistosomiasis in Sharkia governorate ,Egypt.
Patients and methods: Over 5 years (2005-2010), schistosome eggs were sought by sedimentation techniques in stool and urine samples of 30,000 outpatient persons attending the Tenth of Ramadan Charity Hospital, Tenth of Ramadan City, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt and in histologically processed rectal biopsy samples from patients with negative coproscopy. These samples were obtained by lower endoscopy from 250 patients out of them.
Results : Eggs of Schistosoma haematobium were encountered in urine samples of 6 persons (0.02%) of the 30,000 outpatients.Eggs of Schistosoma mansoni were encountered in stool samples of 99 persons (0.33%) of the 30,000 outpatients. Eggs were also found in 12 persons (4.8%) (2 with living Schistosoma mansoni eggs, 1with dead Schistosoma haematobium eggs and 9 with dead Schistosoma mansoni eggs) out of the 250 patients contributing to rectal biopsy samples.
Conclusion : The present findings revealed a decrease in the prevalence of schistosomiasis that may be explained by the current policy of schistosomiasis control in Egypt.

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Afro-Egyptian Journal of Infectious and Endemic Diseases
Volume 1, Issue 1
September 2011
Pages 9-11

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