Optimizing strategies to diagnose and control intestinal Schistosomiasis in low and moderate endemicity areas of Brazil

The current mainstream diagnostic method for intestinal schistosomiasis is the detection of eggs in stool by Kato-Katz. This method, however, is  costly, time-consuming, and may be particularly unreliable where there is low levels of infection. In order to overcome some of the pitfalls of this diagnostic method, there has been interest in developing new and more sensitive tests for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Antigen detection in urine (CCA) has been documented to be a sensitive and specific alternative to Kato-Katz in several moderate and high endemnicity settings. Data comparing the performance of stool microscopy (Kato-Katz) and a urine dipstick (CCA) in low Schistosomiasis prevalence settings, however, is currently lacking. In this context, the aim of this project is to compare the performance of CCA with Kato-Katz in the low endemic area of Minas Gerais State, and in a moderate endemic area of Sergipe State Brazil.

The study aims to enhance knowledge of the spatial distribution of schistosomiasis in Brazil that will assist in the planning of the preventive chemotherapy strategy for the national schistosomiasis control programme.