Epidemiology , of bilharzias ( schistosomiasis ) in Uganda from 1902 until 2005

Background: Schistosoma mansoni was observed and reported in Kuluva hospital Arua District in north western Uganda as early as 1902. S. mansoni is widely distributed in Uganda along permanent water bodies. Objective: To review the litreture on scistosomiasis in Uganda, since 1902. Method: The core literature for this short review was searched from reports and publications by the British colonial Ministry of Health Districts Medical officers and Entomologists. Additional information was obtained from Makerere University Medical School library archives, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine library archives, University of Antrwap, and post independence publications on schistosomiasis in Uganda in various journals. Results: Since it was first detected in 1902 Schistosoma (S) mansoni is more widely distributed in Uganda than S. haematobium. However Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium are of public health importance in Uganda and the importance of migrants and fishermen in disseminating infections into non-infested areas and intensifying infection in areas already infested have been reported. Conclusion: S. mansoni has been on the increase in Uganda whereas S. haematobium is localized in sporadic foci in the north of Uganda. Treatment with praziquantel the drug of choice in Uganda used in schistosomiasis control programme has reduced development of severe schistosomiasis. African Health Sciences 2008; 8(4):239-243 Introduction The ancient Egyptians recorded comprehensive clinical accounts of bilharziasis as laid down in the papyrus Pfister. Ebers and Hearst Ruffer proved the presence of Schistosoma ova in mummies and Canopic jar of mummified viscera. The first published record of the causative agent was after the post-mortem discovery of the worm in the mesenteric veins of a patient in Kasr el Aini Hospital in Cairo by Theodor Bilharz. The first published account of the taxonomy of the genus Bilharzia was by Meckel Von Hemsbach two years after Weinland named the genus Schistosoma (Meckel Von Hemsbach 1856, Weinland 1858) . Three species of Schistosoma are known to be parasitic to man. Schistosoma (S.) haematobium, (Bilharz 1852) while Brumpt named Schistosoma (S.) mansoni in 1931 (Brumpt 1931). Cort in 1919 was the first to identify cercariae of the Japanese blood flukes, Schistosoma japonicum in Katsurada (Cort 1919). Bhalerrao in 1934 observed the occurrence of Schistosoma japonicum in Katsurada in India (Bhalerrao 1934). Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium occur in Uganda. Besides these two schistosomes, S. intercalatum has been reported in 10 countries mainly in central and West Africa, but also in Northern Uganda. This short review will cover some of the foundamental work on schistosomiasis in Uganda from 1902 and show steps taken after, by the Uganda Ministry of Health to control the transmission and morbidity of schistosomiasis in Uganda. Schistosome infections in Uganda. Schistosoma mansoni was first observed and reported in Kuluva hospital Arua District north western Uganda by Aldo Castallani and G.C Low in 1902 in a hospitalised patient with sleeping sickness. McConnely 1923, Rawson & Gopal 1924 noted a high incidence of S. mansoni in the West Nile . Nelson was the first to make a complete assessment of the prevalence, distribution and importance of schistosomiasis as a health problem in Uganda, especially in West Nile. He found that the prevalence and intensity of infection was highest immediately along the banks of the River Nile and decreased with altitude and distance from the Nile. Schwetz also made a similar observation that altitude Correspondence Emmanuel, I. Odongo Aginya Gulu university Department of Microbiology Faculty of Medicine P.O.BOX 166 Gulu