| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|||||||||
The potential relationship between Schistosoma mansoni and anemia was examined using data obtained by the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) before (baseline) and 1 year after (follow-up) a chemotherapeutic treatment program in Uganda. Changes in hemoglobin (Hb) levels in 2,788 children in relation to their schistosomiasis and/or hookworm infection intensity category and baseline anemia status were analyzed. At baseline, significant predictors of childhood anemia were intensities of S. mansoni and hookworm infection. At follow-up, moderate or heavy hookworm as well as heavy S. mansoni infections were important. Children heavily infected with S. mansoni or hookworm had significantly lower Hb counts at baseline compared with those not infected. Among anemic children at the baseline survey, a significant increase in Hb counts of 0.834 g/dL after treatment was found. Our results suggest that anemia is associated with schistosomiasis and hookworm in Ugandan children and that such anemia shows a significant improvement after chemotherapy.
Received November 11, 2005. Accepted for publication February 15, 2006.
Acknowledgments: We acknowledge the excellent assistance of the Ugandan Vector Control Division field and technical staff and the willing help and collaboration of teachers and children of the schools concerned. We particularly thank H. Namwangye for contribution from Uganda. We also thank Dr. Maria Gloria Basanez and her research group for helpful discussions, Professor Richard Olds for reviewing the manuscript, Dr. Simon Brooker for comments on the text, and Dr. Tom Johnston for advice on statistical issues.
Financial support: The Schistosomiasis Control Initiative (SCI) is generously supported by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
* Address correspondence to Artemis Koukounari, Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary’s Campus, Room G26, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK, E-mail: artemis.koukounari{at}imperial.ac.uk
Authors’ addresses: Artemis Koukounari, Alan Fenwick, Sarah Whawell, and Joanne P. Webster, Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, St Mary’s Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK, E-mails: artemis.koukounari{at}imperial.ac.uk, a.fenwick{at}imperial.ac.uk, joanne.webster{at}imperial.ac.uk. Narcis B Kabatereine, Francis Kazibwe, and Edridah M. Tukahebwa, Vector Control Division, Ministry of Health, Kampala, PO Box 1661, Uganda, E-mails: vcd_sci{at}vcdmoh.go.ug, FKazibwe{at}vcdmoh.go.ug, EdridahT{at}vcdmoh.go.ug. J. Russell Stothard, Department of Zoology, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK, E-mail: R.Stothard{at}nhm.ac.uk. Chirstl A. Donnelly, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary’s Campus, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK, E-mail: c.donnelly{at}imperial.ac.uk.
Reprint requests: Artemis Koukounari, Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary’s Campus, Room G26, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK, E-mail: artemis.koukounari{at}imperial.ac.uk.
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  C. H. King and M. Dangerfield-Cha The unacknowledged impact of chronic schistosomiasis Chronic Illness, March 1, 2008; 4(1): 65 - 79. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
