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Immunity and morbidity in human schistosomiasis mansoni
A E Butterworth1, A J Curry, D W Dunne
1Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Tropical and Geographical Medicine
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Treating only infected children is an effective schistosomiasis control method. This approach, focusing on schistosomiasis mansoni in Kenya, considers disease severity for treatment frequency and explores immunity to reinfection.
Area of Science:
- * Tropical Medicine
- * Infectious Diseases
- * Parasitology
Background:
- * Schistosomiasis mansoni remains a significant public health concern in endemic regions.
- * Longitudinal studies are crucial for understanding disease dynamics and control strategies.
- * Machakos District, Kenya, has been a focus for schistosomiasis research since 1980.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To evaluate different chemotherapy delivery methods for schistosomiasis mansoni control.
- * To investigate immunity to reinfection following treatment.
- * To identify factors contributing to varied morbidity in different areas.
Main Methods:
- * Longitudinal, multidisciplinary study design.
- * Medium-scale operational control program comparing chemotherapy delivery.
- * Detailed immunological studies on reinfection and morbidity factors.
Main Results:
- * Targeted treatment of infected children proved effective and feasible for schistosomiasis control.
- * Immunity to reinfection observed, particularly in older individuals, potentially linked to IgE antibodies.
- * Morbidity is influenced by factors beyond infection intensity, including parasite strains and host immune responses.
Conclusions:
- * Selective chemotherapy in infected children is a viable schistosomiasis control strategy.
- * Understanding host-parasite interactions and immune responses is key to managing schistosomiasis morbidity.
- * Further research into factors influencing immunity and severe morbidity is warranted.