Morbidity in urinary schistosomiasis: relation between sonographical lesions and pathological urine findings

213 patients with urinary schistosomiasis were investigated under field conditions in the Peoples Republic of Congo by quantitative parasitological examination, urine analysis and abdominal ultrasonography. The study group consisted mainly of children. Disease related pathological ultrasonographical findings were dependent on the intensity of infection. Sixty patients had bladder wall thickening and 55 patients had vesical polyps. Those with multiple vesical polyps were the only patients with urinary retention and they had a significantly higher proteinuria than those with a singular polyp. Obstructive uropathy of different degrees was encountered in 50 cases. Of these, 21 patients had moderate to severe urinary tract obstruction and in all cases except one also presented concomitant vesical abnormalities. Nine patients revealed bilateral obstructive uropathy. Lesions of the lower urinary tract were a predisposing factor in the development of urinary tract obstruction. Morbidity of study patients was considered to be substantial. A proteinuria of more than one gramme per litre in spontaneously voided midday urine indicated a high probability for the presence of urinary tract obstruction and was considered an urgent indication for antischistosomal treatment.