Adults may not be the only ones at risk of snail fever, children may get affected early say within the first year of life, and it may take three months for symptoms to develop in them, finds a new study.
Helmintex Assay: Sensitive Detection Method for Low Intensity Schistosomiasis
Helmintex assay is a better and more sensitive way to detect low intensity schistosomiasis infections.
Helmintex assay is a better and more sensitive way to detect low intensity schistosomiasis infections.
‘Children could contract an infection within their first year of life, and develop symptoms within three months. Until now, pre-school children have not been routinely tested for or treated for this condition. The study also highlighted for the first time that infected children are at risk of malnutrition and stunted growth.’
The parasite, which is carried by freshwater snails, mainly infects people in sub-Saharan Africa. Once diagnosed, treatment with a cheap, readily available drug is usually effective. Common symptoms include abdominal pain or blood in the urine. In children, it can cause stunted growth and learning difficulties. Infection acquired in childhood can cause bladder cancer and liver damage, or impact on reproductive health, in adults.
Until now, pre-school children have not been routinely tested for nor treated for the condition, as the health impact of childhood infection has not been well understood.
Newly Identified Protein Shows Promise as a Biocontrol Weapon Against Schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis is transmitted via flatworms shed by the freshwater snails that serve as the parasite's non-human host.
Schistosomiasis is transmitted via flatworms shed by the freshwater snails that serve as the parasite's non-human host.
Their research showed that children could contract an infection within their first year of life, and develop symptoms within three months. The study also highlighted for the first time that infected children are at risk of malnutrition and stunted growth. Treatment of the infection with the drug Praziquantel was shown to reverse symptoms.
Advertisements
When Drugs Fail to Treat, Prawns Play Savior to People Suffering from Schistosomiasis
Spread of schistosomiasis, a deadly parasitic disease that can cause anemia, infertility, and other illnesses, can be prevented by freshwater prawns.
Spread of schistosomiasis, a deadly parasitic disease that can cause anemia, infertility, and other illnesses, can be prevented by freshwater prawns.
Professor Francisca Mutapi of the University of Edinburgh's School of Biological Sciences, who led the study, said: "We now know there is no such thing as snail fever without symptoms, and young children can get infected by snail fever very early in their lives."
Advertisements
Oldest Ever Schistosomiasis Egg Found may be First Proof of Early Human Technology Exacerbating Disease Burden
In a 6200-year-old grave at a prehistoric town by the Euphrates river in Syria, the discovery of a schistosomiasis parasite egg may be the first evidence that agricultural irrigation systems in the Middle East contributed to disease burden.
In a 6200-year-old grave at a prehistoric town by the Euphrates river in Syria, the discovery of a schistosomiasis parasite egg may be the first evidence that agricultural irrigation systems in the Middle East contributed to disease burden.
Source-Eurekalert
