Objective: The objective of this work was to describe the epidemiology of schistosomiasis 10 years after mass administration of praziquantel began in Sotuba, Mali.
Methodology/results: This observational cross-sectional survey in Sotuba, a periurban village in the Bamako district, took place from July to September 2010 and collected stool and urine samples from residents at least one year old. Kato-Katz (for stool) and urine filtration techniques were used to detect Schistosoma mansoni and S. hæmatobium eggs, respectively. Overall, 335 urine samples and 300 stool samples were examined. The prevalence rate was 5.4% (18/335) for S. hæmatobium and 8.7% (26/300) for S. mansoni. Excretion of these eggs was most frequent in the 6-15 year-old group: 4.8% (16/335) for S. hæmatobium and 7.7% (23/300) for S. mansoni. Snails of the Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Bulinus truncatus species were the intermediate hosts, captured in the fields at water contact points. The principal clinical symptoms reported by participants were abdominal pain 27.2% (61/169) and headaches 23.2% (52/169).
Conclusion: Despite the implementation of mass drug administration in Mali a decade ago, our results show that schistosomiasis transmission continues in Sotuba. Assessment of the risk factors for this persistent transmission is strongly needed.
Keywords: Mali; Schistosoma hæmatobium; Schistosoma mansoni; Sotuba; mass drug administration; praziquantel; prevalence.