Description of the Serological Response After Treatment of Chronic Imported Schistosomiasis

Background: Chronic schistosomiasis can lead to significant morbidity. Serology is highly sensitive; however, its role in assessing treatment response is controversial. This study aimed to analyze serological values following treatment of chronic imported schistosomiasis. Methods: A retrospective ob...

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Main Authors: Marta González-Sanz, Irene Martín-Rubio, Oihane Martín, Alfonso Muriel, Sagrario de la Fuente-Hernanz, Clara Crespillo-Andújar, Sandra Chamorro-Tojeiro, Begoña Monge-Maíllo, Francesca F. Norman, José A. Pérez-Molina
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/1/22
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author Marta González-Sanz
Irene Martín-Rubio
Oihane Martín
Alfonso Muriel
Sagrario de la Fuente-Hernanz
Clara Crespillo-Andújar
Sandra Chamorro-Tojeiro
Begoña Monge-Maíllo
Francesca F. Norman
José A. Pérez-Molina
author_facet Marta González-Sanz
Irene Martín-Rubio
Oihane Martín
Alfonso Muriel
Sagrario de la Fuente-Hernanz
Clara Crespillo-Andújar
Sandra Chamorro-Tojeiro
Begoña Monge-Maíllo
Francesca F. Norman
José A. Pérez-Molina
author_sort Marta González-Sanz
collection DOAJ
description Background: Chronic schistosomiasis can lead to significant morbidity. Serology is highly sensitive; however, its role in assessing treatment response is controversial. This study aimed to analyze serological values following treatment of chronic imported schistosomiasis. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed including patients treated for chronic imported schistosomiasis from 2018 to 2022 who had at least one serological result at baseline and during follow-up. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were evaluated. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyze the evolution of serological values. Results: Of the 83 patients included, 72 (86.7%) were male, and the median age was 26 years (IQR 22–83). Most patients, 76 (91.6%), were migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. While 24 cases (28.9%) presented with urinary symptoms, the majority (59; 71.1%) were asymptomatic. <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> eggs were observed in five cases (6.2%). Eosinophilia was present in 34 participants (40.9%). All patients had an initial positive <i>Schistosoma</i> ELISA serology, median ODI 2.3 (IQR 1.5–4.4); the indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test was positive/indeterminate in 34 cases (43.1%). Following treatment with praziquantel, serology values significantly decreased: −0.04 (IC95% −0.073, −0.0021) and −5.73 (IC95% −9.92, −1.53) units per month for ELISA and IHA, respectively. A quarter of patients (25%) had negative ELISA results 63 weeks after treatment. All symptomatic cases were clinically cured. Conclusions: Serial serological determinations could be helpful for monitoring chronic schistosomiasis in non-endemic regions. The ideal timing for these follow-up tests is yet to be determined. Further research is needed to determine the factors that influence a negative result during follow-up.
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spelling doaj-art-d1c28feb6a8f473897025ab4c837b21a2025-01-24T13:51:24ZengMDPI AGTropical Medicine and Infectious Disease2414-63662025-01-011012210.3390/tropicalmed10010022Description of the Serological Response After Treatment of Chronic Imported SchistosomiasisMarta González-Sanz0Irene Martín-Rubio1Oihane Martín2Alfonso Muriel3Sagrario de la Fuente-Hernanz4Clara Crespillo-Andújar5Sandra Chamorro-Tojeiro6Begoña Monge-Maíllo7Francesca F. Norman8José A. Pérez-Molina9National Reference Centre for Imported Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, SpainNational Reference Centre for Imported Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, SpainCIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, SpainDepartamento de Medicina y Especialidades Médicas, Programa de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Alcalá, 28801 Alcalá de Henares, SpainNational Reference Centre for Imported Tropical Diseases, Microbiology Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, SpainNational Reference Centre for Imported Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, SpainNational Reference Centre for Imported Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, SpainNational Reference Centre for Imported Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, SpainNational Reference Centre for Imported Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, SpainNational Reference Centre for Imported Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, 28034 Madrid, SpainBackground: Chronic schistosomiasis can lead to significant morbidity. Serology is highly sensitive; however, its role in assessing treatment response is controversial. This study aimed to analyze serological values following treatment of chronic imported schistosomiasis. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed including patients treated for chronic imported schistosomiasis from 2018 to 2022 who had at least one serological result at baseline and during follow-up. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were evaluated. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to analyze the evolution of serological values. Results: Of the 83 patients included, 72 (86.7%) were male, and the median age was 26 years (IQR 22–83). Most patients, 76 (91.6%), were migrants from sub-Saharan Africa. While 24 cases (28.9%) presented with urinary symptoms, the majority (59; 71.1%) were asymptomatic. <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i> eggs were observed in five cases (6.2%). Eosinophilia was present in 34 participants (40.9%). All patients had an initial positive <i>Schistosoma</i> ELISA serology, median ODI 2.3 (IQR 1.5–4.4); the indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test was positive/indeterminate in 34 cases (43.1%). Following treatment with praziquantel, serology values significantly decreased: −0.04 (IC95% −0.073, −0.0021) and −5.73 (IC95% −9.92, −1.53) units per month for ELISA and IHA, respectively. A quarter of patients (25%) had negative ELISA results 63 weeks after treatment. All symptomatic cases were clinically cured. Conclusions: Serial serological determinations could be helpful for monitoring chronic schistosomiasis in non-endemic regions. The ideal timing for these follow-up tests is yet to be determined. Further research is needed to determine the factors that influence a negative result during follow-up.https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/1/22schistosomiasismigrant healthneglected tropical diseasesdiagnosisserologytravelers
spellingShingle Marta González-Sanz
Irene Martín-Rubio
Oihane Martín
Alfonso Muriel
Sagrario de la Fuente-Hernanz
Clara Crespillo-Andújar
Sandra Chamorro-Tojeiro
Begoña Monge-Maíllo
Francesca F. Norman
José A. Pérez-Molina
Description of the Serological Response After Treatment of Chronic Imported Schistosomiasis
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
schistosomiasis
migrant health
neglected tropical diseases
diagnosis
serology
travelers
title Description of the Serological Response After Treatment of Chronic Imported Schistosomiasis
title_full Description of the Serological Response After Treatment of Chronic Imported Schistosomiasis
title_fullStr Description of the Serological Response After Treatment of Chronic Imported Schistosomiasis
title_full_unstemmed Description of the Serological Response After Treatment of Chronic Imported Schistosomiasis
title_short Description of the Serological Response After Treatment of Chronic Imported Schistosomiasis
title_sort description of the serological response after treatment of chronic imported schistosomiasis
topic schistosomiasis
migrant health
neglected tropical diseases
diagnosis
serology
travelers
url https://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/10/1/22
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