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Schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth infections in schoolchildren in North-Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of epidemiological data pertaining to schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the north-eastern part of DRC enrolling 400 schoolchildren aged 9-14 years. Stool and urine samples were subjected to standard diagnostic methods and examined under a microscope for helminth eggs.

RESULTS: Four out of five children were infected with at least one helminth species. Schistosoma mansoni was the predominant species (57.8%). Urine examinations were all negative for S. haematobium.

CONCLUSIONS: S. mansoni and STH infections are highly endemic in the surveyed part of the DRC, calling for interventions in school-aged children.

More information

Type
Journal Article
Author
Knoblauch A
Archer C
Owuor M
Schmidlin S
Divall MJ
Utzinger J
Winkler MS