Female genital schistosomiasis – a differential diagnosis to sexually transmitted disease: genital itch and vaginal discharge as indicators of genital <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> morbidity in a cross‐sectional study in endemic rural Zimbabwe

Kjetland, Eyrun Floerecke; Kurewa, Edith Nyaradzai; Ndhlovu, Patricia D.; Midzi, Nicholas; Gwanzura, Lovemore; Mason, Peter R.; Gomo, Exnevia; Sandvik, Leiv; Mduluza, Takafira; Friis, Henrik; Gundersen, Svein Gunnar

doi:10.1111/j.1365-3156.2008.02161.x

Cited by 85 publications

(97 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…While most of the earlier reports comprised cross-sectional autopsy and surgical specimen studies, there have been considerable increase in communitybased studies on female genital schistosomiasis in the last decade. [32][33][34][35] Kjetland et al 36 in their comprehensive review had identified the cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, ovary, and uterus as the most common gynecological predilection sites for schistosomiasis in women with vaginal discharge, pelvic discomfort, sandy patches in mucosa, contact bleeding, and edema as some of the symptoms mostly associated with infections. However, with the ever increasing evidences of female genital schistosomiasis and associated discomfort symptoms, none of such studies had addressed situations in pregnant women who may be liable to greater discomforts as a result of their conditions.…”

Section: Schistosomiasis In Women Of Reproductive Agementioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal schistosomiasis: a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa

Salawu

Odaibo

2014

Pathogens and Global Health

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Schistosomiasis remains one of the most important tropical parasitic infections threatening millions of lives in endemic areas. Cases of infections due to Schistosoma spp, the diecious digenetic trematodes have been on the increase over the last decades. While considerable efforts have been made to reduce infections and morbidities in most endemic areas, these efforts seem to be tailored only towards a specific group (school-based resources). This bias towards school children in epidemiological studies has also been observed in various research efforts in sub-Saharan Africa, thus making it difficult to produce a reliable estimate of the extent of infection in other strata of the population at risk. In recent times, attention has been drawn to Schistosoma spp infections in infants and preschool children, while studies on epidemiology of maternal schistosomiasis still suffer neglect. Considering the potential morbidity of Schistosoma infections on the mothers, fetuses, and neonates, as evidenced in some animal models and human case studies, more attention is solicited in all areas of observational studies and clinical trials, for maternal schistosomiasis with the aim of providing relevant data and information for effective management of the disease during pregnancy.

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Section: Schistosomiasis In Women Of Reproductive Agementioning

confidence: 99%

Maternal schistosomiasis: a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa

Salawu

Odaibo

2014

Pathogens and Global Health

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“…Because the urinary and genital tracts are almost always both affected, the WHO has recently renamed this disease urogenital schistosomiasis, with detection of S. haematobium in the urine or genital tract being diagnostic. 1 Chronic female genital-tract inflammation caused by S. haematobium has been associated with vaginal itching and discharge, 2 post-coital bleeding, 3 genitopelvic discomfort, 4 marital discord, 5 and infertility. 6,7 Genital S. haematobium infection has been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in one cross-sectional study 7 and has been postulated to be a risk factor for HIV infection.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania's Lake Victoria Region

Downs

Mguta

Kaatano

et al. 2011

The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

153

136

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Abstract. We conducted a community-based study of 457 women aged 18-50 years living in eight rural villages in northwest Tanzania. The prevalence of female urogenital schistosomiasis (FUS) was 5% overall but ranged from 0% to 11%. FUS was associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (odds ratio [OR] = 4.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-13.5) and younger age (OR = 5.5 and 95% CI = 1.2-26.3 for ages < 25 years and OR = 8.2 and 95% CI = 1.7-38.4 for ages 25-29 years compared with age > 35 years). Overall HIV prevalence was 5.9% but was 17% among women with FUS. We observed significant geographical clustering of schistosomiasis: northern villages near Lake Victoria had more Schistosoma mansoni infections ( P < 0.0001), and southern villages farther from the lake had more S. haematobium ( P = 0.002). Our data support the postulate that FUS may be a risk factor for HIV infection and may contribute to the extremely high rates of HIV among young women in sub-Saharan Africa.

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“…8 Female genital schistosomiasis is the presence of schistosome eggs and/or worms in the female genital organs, in the epithelium of the urinary bladder or genital mucosa where erosions, so-called sandy patches, contact bleeding and oedema may be found. [9][10][11] Adult S. haematobium worms can be found in the venules surrounding any organ of the upper and lower genital tract. 9 These adult S. haematobium worms lay between 20 and 200 eggs per day.…”

Section: Female Genital Schistosomiasismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…11,12 This influx may result in chronic inflammation in the affected organs. 10,11 The symptoms of female genital schistosomiasis include pelvic pain, postcoital bleeding, inter-menstrual bleeding, genital itch and abnormal vaginal discharge. 4,10 Female genital schistosomiasis may therefore easily be mistaken for a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia and women may be reluctant to seek medical attention.…”

Section: Female Genital Schistosomiasismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…10,11 The symptoms of female genital schistosomiasis include pelvic pain, postcoital bleeding, inter-menstrual bleeding, genital itch and abnormal vaginal discharge. 4,10 Female genital schistosomiasis may therefore easily be mistaken for a sexually transmitted infection like chlamydia and women may be reluctant to seek medical attention. Case reports and community based studies have further indicated decreased fertility and abortions in some women.…”

Section: Female Genital Schistosomiasismentioning

confidence: 99%

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review of the control of schistosomiasis in South Africa

Magaisa¹,

Taylor²,

Kjetland³

et al. 2018

S. Afr. J. Sci.

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Schistosomiasis is the second most important tropical disease in the world in terms of public health impact. In South Africa, more than 4 million people are estimated to be infected with schistosomiasis. School-age children usually have the highest prevalence and intensity of infection. Schistosoma haematobium may result in female genital schistosomiasis which presents as inflammation and ulceration of the genital mucosa and pathological blood vessels. These effects may increase the susceptibility of women with female genital schistosomiasis to HIV. Praziquantel is the drug used to treat schistosomiasis and it is best to treat people during the early stages of infection, before female genital schistosomiasis presents as lesions and sandy patches, as there currently is no treatment for these symptoms. Schistosomiasis is not regarded as a serious public health issue in South Africa despite evidence revealing the seriousness of the disease. In areas endemic for schistosomiasis, the World Health Organization recommends regular mass treatment of all school-age children. In 2001, South Africa became a signatory to the World Health Assembly resolution 54.19 which urged all member states to achieve the minimum goal of 75% treatment coverage in school-age children at risk by 2010. This goal was not achieved in South Africa, despite efforts made by the Department of Health, such as the first statutory school-based geohelminth control programme in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. However, this programme has not been continued. Therefore, there is still much work to be done in order to control and decrease the prevalence of schistosomiasis in endemic areas.

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Female genital schistosomiasis – a differential diagnosis to sexually transmitted disease: genital itch and vaginal discharge as indicators of genital Schistosoma haematobium morbidity in a cross‐sectional study in endemic rural Zimbabwe

Abstract: Genital schistosomiasis may be a differential diagnosis to the STDs in women who have been exposed to fresh water in endemic areas. Because of the chronic nature of the disease in adults, we suggest to pay special attention to the prevention of morbidity.

Cited by 85 publications

References 40 publications

Maternal schistosomiasis: a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa

Maternal schistosomiasis: a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa

Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Women of Reproductive Age in Tanzania's Lake Victoria Region

review of the control of schistosomiasis in South Africa

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