Comparison between stool examination, serology and large bowel biopsy in diagnosing Schistosoma mansoni

This report evaluates the diagnostic method in 167 patients with colonic schistosomiasis. These patients formed a part of a large number of patients who had sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy for various gastrointestinal problems. During sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy examination, typical intestinal Schistosomia lesions could be seen and at the same time several biopsies could be taken. Stool examination showed Schistosoma mansoni ova in only 19 patients (11.37%) of the 167 patients whose colonic biopsies were positive for Schistosoma mansoni. Serological tests were carried out in 115 of these patients and 88 patients (52.69%) had a titre of 64 or more. This study shows that endoscopic colonic biopsy is a better method than stool examination and serological tests in the diagnosis of intestinal or hepatosplenic schistosomiasis.