Latent iron deficiency anaemia in schistosomiasis

This study was carried on 60 male patients, 20 have simple intestinal mansoniasis, 20 have simple urinary bilharziasis and 20 have hepatosplenic mansoniasis. Latent iron deficiency anaemia, defined as those having normal Hb content (greater than 13 g/dl) and low serum ferritin (less than 15 ng/mL). Such latent anaemia was found in 35% of cases with simple mansoniasis, 20% of cases with simple urinary bilharziasis but not in any case with hepatosplenic mansoniasis. Also it was associated with mild intensity of infection.