Urinary tract pathology in Schistosoma haematobium infected rural Nigerians

Parasitological investigation assessing the ova of Schistosoma haematobium in the urine of 138 volunteers in Ihieve-Ogben, Edo State, Nigeria revealed 43 positive results (31.2%). Children had a higher prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis 30 (41.1%) than their adult counterparts 13 (20.0%) and this difference was statistically significant (t = 8.89, p > 0.01). More volunteers had light intensity of infection 27 (19.6%) than heavy infection 16 (11.6%) and this difference was statistically significant (chi2 = 22.90, p>0.05). Ultrasonographic investigations carried out on these 43 S. haematobium infected volunteers revealed ten pathological conditions, including abnormal wall thickness 24 (55.8%), abnormal shape 30 (69.8%), irregular bladder wall 12 (27.9%), masses 10 (23.3%), pseudopolyps 2 (4.7%), echogenic particles 30 (69.8%), residual volume 12 (27.9%), calcifications 24 (55.8%), hydroureter 10 (23.3%) and hydronephrosis 8 (18.6%) when compared to control subjects which lacked bladder and kidney abnormalities. These pathological conditions were slightly more common in the volunteers with heavy infection than those with light infection, but this difference was not statistically significant (t = -2.19, p < 0.02). More pathological conditions were found in children than in adults; this finding was statistically significant (t = 3.23, p > 0.03). Hydronephrosis and hydroureter were not found in the volunteers with light intensity of infection.