The effect of schistosomiasis on 24-hour energy expenditure

Twenty-four hour energy expenditure assessment in relation to Schistosoma mansoni infection was carried out in 217 villagers, cleaners of irrigated canals and service personnel. Maximal aerobic power output and sub-maximal response to exercise in the laboratory were also measured. The servicemen were significantly (P less than 0.05) taller and heavier than villagers and canal cleaners. While servicemen and villagers had similar haemoglobin concentration, canal cleaners had significantly reduced (P less than 0.05) haemoglobin values compared to the other two groups. The 24 h energy expenditure was positively correlated with VO2max (r = +0.15, P less than 0.02, n = 215) and negatively correlated with quantitative egg excretion rate (r = -0.16, P less than 0.01, n = 217). Servicemen had the highest recorded values of the 24 h energy expenditure which differed significantly (P less than 0.05) from those of the heavily infected canal cleaners. No significant difference was recorded in 24 h energy expenditure between the lightly infected and non-infected villagers on one hand and servicemen on the other. The findings of this study clearly demonstrated the adverse effect of a high level of S. mansoni infection on the 24 h energy expenditure.