Physiological Performance and Work Capacity of Sudanese Cane Cutters with Schistosoma Mansoni Infection

K. J. Collins MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by K. J. Collins in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
R. J. Brotherhood MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by R. J. Brotherhood in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
C. T. M. Davies MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by C. T. M. Davies in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Caroline Doré MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by Caroline Doré in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
A. J. Hackett MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by A. J. Hackett in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
F. J. Imms MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by F. J. Imms in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
J. Musgrove MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by J. Musgrove in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
J. S. Weiner MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by J. S. Weiner in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
M. A. Amin MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by M. A. Amin in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
M. El Karim MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by M. El Karim in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
H. M. Ismail MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by H. M. Ismail in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
A. H. S. Omer MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by A. H. S. Omer in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
M. Y. Sukkar MRC Environmental Physiology Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Keppel Street, London, W.C.1, England

Search for other papers by M. Y. Sukkar in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1976.25.410
Volume/Issue:
Volume 25: Issue 3
Page(s):
410–421
Restricted access
Get Permissions

Physiological tests of work performance and measurements of field productivity were made in 194 Sudanese cane cutters in order to study the effect of Schistosoma mansoni infection. The cane cutters were selected from two age ranges (16–24 and 25–45 years) and subdivided into three clinical groups: not infected, infected with, and infected without clinical signs of hepatosplenomegaly. Men infected with Schistosoma haematobium, malaria (blood film), or with hemoglobin levels less than 10 g/100 ml were excluded. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.002) higher mean hemoglobin concentration in those not infected, but the mean difference was less than 1 g/100 ml. Submaximal responses to exercise on a stationary bicycle ergometer, oxygen intake, ventilation, tidal volume, cardiac frequency and estimated maximal aerobic power output calculated both in absolute terms and relative to lean body mass and leg volume were similar in the six groups of cane cutters. No significant differences were found in physique, body composition or in thermoregulatory function tests. The cane cutters were found to have little natural acclimatization to heat in terms of sweating capacity when compared with a group of fully acclimatized Sudanese soldiers. The mean productivity (mean daily weight of cane cut per man) was significantly correlated with the individual's estimated maximum aerobic capacity determined in the laboratory, but not with the degree of S. mansoni infection. The noninfected group was less “efficient” (mean productivity:oxygen intake) during cutting than the infected groups but a larger proportion of the noninfected were in their first season of cutting. There was a positive correlation between the number of seasons' cutting experience and the individual's age, degree of infection and mean productivity. Cane cutters studied in this investigation were a relatively fit, active population from whom the more seriously ill were excluded. These results do not, therefore, necessarily reflect the effects of S. mansoni on physiological work capacity and productivity of more static populations in areas of high endemicity.

Author Notes

Copyright:
Copyright © 1976 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 1976
Accepted:
06 Sep 1975
|
Published Online:
May 1976
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 473 186 13
Full Text Views 6 3 0
PDF Downloads 6 4 0
 
 
 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save