Intestinal schistosomiasis among preschool and school‐aged children in a rural setting near Alexandria: initiative for elimination

Objective To assess the status of intestinal schistosomiasis among preschool-aged (PSAC) and school-aged children (SAC) to compare efficacy praziquantel (PZQ) in both groups. Methods The study was conducted on 400 children; 103 PSAC 297 SAC. Diagnosis Schistosoma mansoni based triplicate Kato-Katz thick smears from a single stool sample. identify missed cases by Kato-Katz, 120 randomly selected negative (38 82 SAC) were screened real-time PCR. All S. mansoni-positive treated crushed PZQ tablets. Four weeks after treatment, cure rate assessed Results prevalence with 7.8% 7.4% Most (63.3%) had light-intensity infection. 100% techniques, 91%, 77.2% SAC PCR, respectively. In samples 25%; 15.8% 29.3% Treated showed lower range Ct values than untreated cases. Two melting temperature ranges (Tm = 83–87°C 89–93°C) recognised uncured which may point genetic variability. Conclusion Continuous monitoring inclusion control programmes are crucial. Real-time PCR other molecular tools recommended for evaluation true prevalence, assessment further studies diversity.