MORBIDITY DUE TO HEAVY SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI INFECTIONS IN A RECENTLY ESTABLISHED FOCUS IN NORTHERN SENEGAL

A study of morbidity due to Schistosoma mansoni infection was carried out in Ndombo, a recently established but intense focus in northern Se negal. A random population sample (n = 422) was examined by repeated e gg counts, standardized interviews, and clinical examinations. Egg cou nts were positive in 91%, with more than 1,000 eggs per gram of feces in 41% of the subjects. Abdominal discomfort was reported by 60% of th e subjects, diarrhea by 33%; 17% of the stools were liquid upon inspec tion. Hepatomegaly was mostly mild and found in 7% of the subjects, ma inly in males less than 20 years of age. Splenomegaly was detected in only 0.5% of the people examined. There was no significant correlation between the frequency of complaints or symptoms and egg counts. The r emarkably mild morbidity in spite of the intense level of many infecti ons may be explained by the recent nature of the focus; more severe ch ronic morbidity may develop in the future.