Change in schistosomiasis-related liver disease with repeated praziquantel treatment in school children in rural Zambia

Abstract

Repeated praziquantel treatment for schistosomiasis is an effective method to reduce disease burden. Ultrasonographic methods were used to assess the severity of schistosoma mansoni-related liver disease and demonstrate improvement following treatment. We compared data from 733 children in 2010 and 972 children in 2018 to determine the effect of repeated praziquantel treatment on prevalence of liver disease. Three age groups were compared across three liver disease classifications (normal, mild, severe). From 2010 to 2018, there was a significant reduction in prevalence of severe liver disease in all age groups ( P = 0.03 for 5–10 years, P < 0.001 for 11–15 years and 16–20 years). In both male and female students, the proportion having a normal liver significantly increased ( P < 0.001) from 2010 to 2018, in the 11–15-year-olds and 16–20-year-olds, demonstrating that liver disease significantly reduced in these age groups. This study demonstrates a reduction in schistosomiasis-related morbidity with repeated praziquantel treatment.