Epidemiological Study and Evolution of Monospecific and Low Transmission Schistosomiasis Guineensis Foci in Absence of Praziquantel Chemoprevention: Edea and Eseka in Cameroon

Cyrille Bruno MOGO, Leopold Gustave LEHMAN, Thomas KUETE — 2026-01-06

Implementation of chemoprevention with praziquantel against schistosomiasis significantly decreased prevalence and intensities of infection in moderate to heavy transmission settings. However, evolution of schistosomiasis transmission pattern in previously known low transmission areas remains of concern. This study aimed to evaluate prevalence and intensities of infection of human Schistosoma infection and specific snail intermediate hosts cercaria shedding in Edea and Eseka, two previously known monospecific hypoendemic Schistosoma guineensis transmission foci in Cameroon, then compare data to previous epidemiological surveys. This community-based cross-sectional study was undergone in 2024 in Edea and Eseka by collecting socio-demographic data, stool and urine samples from consenting dwellers. Stool and urine samples were processed using Kato-Katz and urine centrifugation techniques respectively to count Schistosoma eggs under microscope. Parasitic loads and intensities of infection were determined. Schistosoma intermediate hosts were collected in waterbodies at human-water contact sites, identified using shell morphology specific identification keys, then tested for cercarial shedding. Data were compared to previous epidemiological reports in 1969 and 1981. Data were statistically analyzed considering a p-value < 0.05 as significant. Of a total of 502 dwellers included in the study, 444 provided stool samples and 448 urine samples in the two areas. Only S. guineensis eggs were detected in humans with a prevalence of 0% (0/215) and 1.7% (4/229) at Edea and Eseka respectively. Being adolescent (p=0.008) and attending waterbodies for bathing and fishing or laundry (p=0.02) were associated to S. guineensis infection. Only Bulinus forskalii were harvested in the two areas. Of the 43 alive B. forskalii collected, the prevalence cercariae shedding was 0%. Compared to epidemiological data gathered 45 years ago, the prevalence of S. guineensis infections has decreased significantly in the two sites. Prevalence of schistosomiasis has decreased in Edea and Eseka, S. guineensis remaining the only specie. Infected subjects harbor low to moderate intensities of infection. Bulinus forskalii were cercariae free.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C among HIV-Positive Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy in a Rural District of Western Tanzania

Getera Isack Nyangi — 2026-03-25

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV), particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Although several studies have documented the burden of HIV–hepatitis co-infection in urban and peri-urban settings in Tanzania, data from rural western regions remain limited. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among HIV-positive adults receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Kakonko District, western Tanzania. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-positive adults aged ≥ 18 years attending three Care and Treatment Clinics in Kakonko District. Participants were selected using simple random sampling. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Finger-prick blood samples were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies using rapid immunochromatographic assays. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16, and seroprevalence was calculated with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 283 HIV-positive adults on ART were included in the analysis. Females accounted for 66% of participants, and 63% were aged below 45 years. More than half of the participants had been on ART for over five years, and 98% were receiving a tenofovir–lamivudine–dolutegravir (TLD)-based regimen. None of the participants tested positive for HBsAg or anti-HCV antibodies. No cases of dual HBV/HCV infection were identified, yielding a seroprevalence of 0% for HBV, HCV, and HBV/HCV co-infection. No evidence of HBV or HCV co-infection was found among HIV-positive adults receiving ART in Kakonko District. Long-term ART use and effective HIV prevention and care interventions may have contributed to these findings. Continued routine hepatitis screening and integration of viral hepatitis services within HIV care programs are recommended to sustain low co-infection rates.

American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease

Epidemiological Study and Evolution of Monospecific and Low Transmission Schistosomiasis Guineensis Foci in Absence of Praziquantel Chemoprevention: Edea and Eseka in Cameroon

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C among HIV-Positive Adults on Antiretroviral Therapy in a Rural District of Western Tanzania