SCHISTOSOMIASIS OF THE LOWER REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT WITHOUT EGG EXCRETIONIN URINE

The individual and public health impact of female genital schistosomia sis (FGS) has been studied and FGS as a risk factor for acquiring huma n immunodeficiency virus is discussed, In a community-based study in T anzania, 40% of the women of child-bearing age (n = 543) showed excret ion of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in the urine (median = 2.2 eggs/10 ml of urine) and 32% (n = 263) had S. haematobium eggs in their cervi cal tissue. Urinary and genital schistosomiasis coexisted in 62% of th e women, but S. haematobium eggs were found in the cervix without dete ctable egg excretion in the urine in 23%. Only 43% of the FGS cases ha d hematuria. Since FGS frequently exists in women with scanty or no eg g excretion in the urine and because this disease manifestation is a c onsiderable individual and public health hazard in S. haematobium-ende mic areas, mass treatment targeted to women of child-bearing age shoul d be considered.