ETUDE RETROSPECTIVE DESCRIPTIVE SUR LE PROFIL EPIDEMIOLOGIQUE, CLINIQUE ET THERAPEUTIQUE DE LA SCHISTOSOMIASE AU CENTRE DE SANTE LIMANGA DE LA PROVINCE DU MANIEMA EN REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61841/7xxm1s04Keywords:
Schistosomiasis, Epidemiological profile, Neglected tropical diseases, Limanga.Abstract
Schistosomiasis constitutes a public health problem in rural areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, but local epidemiological data remain insufficient to guide interventions. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic profile of schistosomiasis at the Limanga Health Center, in order to contribute to strengthening local epidemiological surveillance.
This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Limanga Health Center (Kunda Health Zone, Maniema Province) from January 1 to December 31, 2025. Data were extracted from consultation and laboratory registers for all patients with a confirmed parasitological diagnosis of schistosomiasis. The analysis was strictly descriptive.
A total of 133 patients were included. The age group of 18 to 49 years represented 61.7% of cases, with a male predominance (55.6%). The majority of patients lived near a watercourse (66.9%). The clinical intestinal (43.6%) and urogenital (38.3%) forms were the most common. All patients were treated with praziquantel, and clinical improvement was reported in 88.7% of them. However, no systematic post-therapeutic parasitological control has been carried out.
Schistosomiasis remains endemic in the Limanga health area. Despite the limitations linked to the retrospective nature of the study and the use of routine data, these results highlight the need to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, integrated prevention and therapeutic care in rural areas of Maniema.
References
Adriko, M., Tinkitina, B., Tukahebwa, E. M., Standley, C. J., Stothard, J. R., & Kabatereine, N. B. (2018). Epidemiology of schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 12(6), e0006579. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006579
Cioli, D., & Pica-Mattoccia, L. (2003). Praziquantel. Parasitology Research, 90(Suppl 1), S3–S9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-002-0751-1
Colley, D. G., Bustinduy, A. L., Secor, W. E., & King, C. H. (2014). Human schistosomiasis. The Lancet, 383(9936), 2253–2264. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61949-2
Doenhoff, M. J., Cioli, D., & Utzinger, J. (2008). Praziquantel: Mechanisms of action, resistance and new derivatives for schistosomiasis. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, 21(6), 659–667. https://doi.org/10.1097/QCO.0b013e328318978f
Greenberg, R. M. (2005). Ca²⁺ signalling, voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels and praziquantel in flatworm neuromusculature. Parasitology, 131(Suppl 1), S97–S108. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182005008346
Gryseels, B., Polman, K., Clerinx, J., & Kestens, L. (2006). Human schistosomiasis. The Lancet, 368(9541), 1106–1118. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69440-3
Hotez, P. J., Alvarado, M., Basáñez, M. G., Bolliger, I., Bourne, R., Boussinesq, M., … Fenwick, A. (2014). The global burden of disease study 2010: Interpretation and implications for the neglected tropical diseases. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 8(7), e2865. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0002865
Kabatereine, N. B., Brooker, S., Tukahebwa, E. M., Kazibwe, F., & Onapa, A. W. (2004). Epidemiology and geography of Schistosoma mansoni in Uganda: Implications for planning control. Tropical Medicine & International Health, 9(3), 372–380. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3156.2003.01176.x
Kabatereine, N. B., Kemijumbi, J., Ouma, J. H., Kariuki, H. C., Richter, J., Kadzo, H., … Fenwick, A. (2017). Epidemiology and geography of Schistosoma mansoni in Africa. Acta Tropica, 168, 43–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2016.01.014
King, C. H. (2010). Parasites and poverty: The case of schistosomiasis. Acta Tropica, 113(2), 95–104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2009.11.012
Lwambo, N. J. S., Siza, J. E., Brooker, S., Bundy, D. A. P., & Guyatt, H. (2012). Patterns of concurrent hookworm infection and schistosomiasis in schoolchildren in Tanzania. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 93(5), 497–502. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0035-9203(99)90355-5
Mostafa, M. H., Sheweita, S. A., & O’Connor, P. J. (2012). Relationship between schistosomiasis and bladder cancer. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 12(1), 97–111. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.12.1.97
Mwanga, J. R., Magnussen, P., & Mugashe, C. L. (2004). Schistosomiasis-related perceptions, attitudes and treatment-seeking practices in Magu district, Tanzania: Public health implications. Journal of Biosocial Science, 36(1), 63–81. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021932003006159
PNLMTN. (2021). Plan stratégique national de lutte contre les maladies tropicales négligées en République Démocratique du Congo 2021–2025. Ministère de la Santé Publique, RDC.
Steinmann, P., Keiser, J., Bos, R., Tanner, M., & Utzinger, J. (2006). Schistosomiasis and water resources development: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and estimates of people at risk. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 6(7), 411–425. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(06)70521-7
Sturrock, H. J. W., Pullan, R. L., Kabatereine, N. B., Brooker, S. J., & Fenwick, A. (2015). Seasonal dynamics of schistosomiasis transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. Parasites & Vectors, 8, 313. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-015-0907-4
Sturrock, R. F. (2001). Schistosomiasis epidemiology and control: How did we get here and where should we go? Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 96(Suppl), 17–27. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0074-02762001000900003
WHO. (2021). Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: Road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030. World Health Organization.
WHO. (2023). Schistosomiasis: Key facts. World Health Organization.
Woolhouse, M. E. J., & Chandiwana, S. K. (1989). Spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the population dynamics of Bulinus globosus and Biomphalaria pfeifferi and in the epidemiology of their infection with schistosomes. Parasitology, 98(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182000059622
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit , provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made . You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation .
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
