Abstract:
Schistosoma haematobium soluble egg antigen (SEA) secreted in urine can be assayed to determine egg tissue load and hence morbidity in infected individuals. A cohort of 158 infected children aged 4-18 years was followed-up for 33 days pre and post treatment with a single dose of praziquantel. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of S. haematobium between males and females (P < 0.05). There were also significant differences in egg counts between age group < or = 5 years compared with 6-8 years, 9-11 years and 12-14 years, and age group > or = 15 years compared with 6-8 years, 9-11 years and 12-14 years (P < 0.05). Comparison of SEA among age groups indicated a significant difference between age group < or = 5 years compared with 9-11 years, 12-14 years and > or = 15 years, and age group > or = 15 years compared with 9-11 years and 12-14 years (P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between levels of SEA and egg output (r2=0.961, P=0.010). These results are useful in the development of a SEA-based dipstick assay for field diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis.
