Urine biomarkers of schistosomiais and its associated bladder cancer

Schistosomiasis (SCH) is the second only to malaria among the parasitic diseases affecting humans regarding the prevalence of infection worldwide. In this nonsystematic review, we summarize the existing data on commercially available and promising investigational urine markers for the detection of SCH and its associated bladder cancer (BC). We searched PubMed, Scopus and Cochran without time limits. We reviewed the recent literatures on urine-based markers for SCH and its associated BC. Many studies identified several urine biomarkers of Schistosoma haematobium and Schistosoma mansoni worms and their associated BC using automated, inexpensive, quantitative assays in urine. These markers may aid in early detection of bladder carcinoma and have the potential to reduce the number of follow-up cystoscopy, thus reducing healthcare costs and patient discomfort, at the same time. Nevertheless, clinical evidence is insufficient to warrant the substitution of the cystoscopic follow-up scheme by any of the currently available urine marker tests.