BACKGROUND Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is defined as an oxygenation defect induced by intrapulmonary vasodilation in patients with liver disease or portal hypertension. It is investigated in patients with liver cirrhosis and less frequently in those with portal hypertension without liver cirrhosis, as may occur in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS). OBJECTIVES To investigate the prevalence of HPS in patients with HSS, and to determine whether the occurrence of HPS is influenced by concomitant cirrhosis. METHODS We evaluated patients with HSS with or without concomitant liver cirrhosis. All patients underwent laboratory testing, ultrasound, endoscopy, contrast echocardiography, and arterial blood gas analysis. FINDINGS Of the 121 patients with HSS, 64 were also diagnosed with liver cirrhosis. HPS was diagnosed in 42 patients (35%) and was more frequent among patients with concomitant liver cirrhosis than in those without cirrhosis (42% vs. 26%), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.069). HPS was more common in those with spider naevi, Child-Pugh classes B or C and high model for end stage liver disease (MELD) scores (p < 0.05 each). MAIN CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of HPS was 35% in this study. The occurrence of liver cirrhosis concomitantly with HSS may have influenced the frequency of patients presenting with HPS.

Contexto Estudos vem descrevendo correlação entre o número de plaquetas e o grau de fibrose hepática na hepatite viral crônica, mas poucas publicações estudaram esta correlação em pacientes com Esquistossomose mansoni. Objetivos Correlacionar a contagem de plaquetas com o padrão de fibrose periportal e com o diâmetro do baço, avaliados pela ultrassonografia em pacientes com Esquistossomose mansoni. Métodos Os pacientes com Esquistossomose mansoni foram avaliados pela ultrassonografia abdominal, por um único examinador, para determinação do padrão de fibrose periportal (classificação de Niamey) e do diâmetro do baço. A contagem de plaquetas foi realizada em contador automatizado. Resultados Cento e oitenta e sete pacientes com Esquistossomose mansoni com média de idade de 50,2 anos foram incluídos no estudo, 114 (61%) dos quais eram mulheres. De acordo com a classificação de Niamey, a ultrassonografia revelou que 37, 64, 64 e 22 pacientes exibiam padrões C, D, E e F, respectivamente. Nestes quatro grupos, o número médio de plaquetas foi 264, 196, 127 e 103 x 109/L, respectivamente, e o diâmetro médio do baço foi 9,2, 11,9, 14,9 e 16,2 centímetros, respectivamente. Observou-se, portanto, redução significativa na contagem de plaquetas associada à progressão da fibrose periportal e ao aumento do tamanho do baço. Conclusões Neste estudo verificou-se que a contagem de plaquetas foi inversamente correlacionada com o padrão de fibrose periportal, como também com o diâmetro do baço nos pacientes com Esquistossomose mansoni.

Context Studies have described the correlation between platelet count and the stages of fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis, but few publications have studied this correlation in Schistosomiasis mansoni. Objectives Therefore, this study aimed to correlate platelet count with both the periportal fibrosis pattern and spleen diameter evaluated by ultrasound exam in patients with Schistosomiasis mansoni. Methods Patients with Schistosomiasis mansoni were evaluated by abdominal ultrasound by a single examiner for the determination of periportal fibrosis pattern (Niamey classification) and spleen diameter. Platelet counts were performed in an automated cell counter. Results One hundred eighty-seven patients with Schistosomiasis mansoni (mean age: 50.2 years) were included in the study, 114 of whom (61%) were women. Based on the Niamey classification, the ultrasound analysis revealed that 37, 64, 64 and 22 patients exhibited patterns C, D, E and F, respectively. In these four groups, the mean number of platelets was 264, 196, 127 and 103 x 109/L and mean spleen diameter was 9.2, 11.9, 14.9 and 16.2 centimeters, respectively. A reduction in platelet count was significantly associated with both the progression of the periportal fibrosis and the increase in spleen size. Conclusions Platelet count in patients with Schistosomiasis mansoni was inversely correlated with the severity of periportal fibrosis and spleen diameter.

OBJETIVO: Realizar revisão sistemática sobre a prevalência da confecção do vírus da hepatite C e Schistosoma mansoni e os fatores de risco associados a indivíduos com esquistossomose. MÉTODOS: Revisão realizada nas bases de dados Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Biblioteca Cochrane e Ibecs. Os critérios de seleção e a obtenção dos dados foram baseados em métodos de revisão sistemática. Foram encontradas 45 referências relevantes, das quais nove foram excluídas na primeira triagem, 14 na leitura dos resumos e nove na leitura completa. Treze artigos foram selecionados para análise. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da associação entre vírus da hepatite C e Schistosoma mansoni variou de 1% na Etiópia a 50% no Egito. Alguns estudos apresentam metodologias pouco definidas, mesmo em áreas caracterizadas pela associação entre vírus da hepatite C e S. mansoni , como Brasil e Egito, o que não permitiu conclusões consistentes. As taxas de infecção pelo VHC em populações esquistossomáticas foram heterogêneas e os fatores de risco para adquirir o vírus foram variáveis. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar das limitações, esta análise pode ajudar a identificar regiões com maiores taxas dessa associação. Outros estudos serão necessários para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas de prevenção e controle dessas doenças.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of the prevalence of the HCV/ S. mansoni co-infection and associated factors in Schistosoma mansoni -infected populations. METHODS: The bibliographic search was carried out using the Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Cochrane Library and Ibecs databases. The criteria for the studies' selection and the extraction data were based on systematic review methods. Forty five studies were found, with nine being excluded in a first screening. Thirteen articles were used for data extraction. RESULTS: The HCV infection rates in schistosomiasis populations range from 1% in Ethiopia to 50% in Egypt. Several studies had poorly defined methodologies, even in areas characterized by an association between hepatitis C and schistosomiasis, such as Brazil and Egypt, which meant conclusions were inconsistent. HCV infection rates in schistosomotic populations were heterogeneous and risk factors for acquiring the virus varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations, this review may help to identify regions with higher rates of hepatitis C and schistosomiasis association. However, more studies are necessary for the development of public health policies on prevention and control of both diseases.

OBJETIVO: Realizar revisión sistemática sobre la prevalencia de la co-infección del virus de la hepatitis C y Schistosoma mansoni y los factores de riesgo asociados a individuos con esquistosomosis. MÉTODOS: Revisión realizada en las bases de datos MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, Biblioteca Cochrane e IBECS. Los criterios de selección y la obtención de los datos fueron basados en métodos de revisión sistemática. RESULTADOS: Fueron encontradas 45 referencias relevantes, de las cuales, nueve fueron excluidas en la primera selección, 14 en la lectura de los resúmenes y nueve en la lectura completa. Trece artículos fueron seleccionados para análisis. La prevalencia de la asociación entre virus de la hepatitis C y Schistosoma mansoni varió de 1% en Etiopia, a 50% en Egipto. Algunos estudios presentan metodologías poco definidas, inclusive en áreas caracterizadas por la asociación entre el virus de la hepatitis C y S. mansoni, como Brasil y Egipto, lo que no permitió conclusiones consistentes. Los cocientes de infección por el VHC en poblaciones esquistosómicas fueron heterogéneos y los factores de riesgo para adquirir el virus fueron variables. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de las limitaciones, este análisis pudo ayudar a identificar regiones con mayores cocientes de esa asociación. Otros estudios serán necesarios para el desarrollo de políticas públicas de prevención y control de estas enfermedades.

OBJETIVO: Realizar revisão sistemática sobre a prevalência da confecção do vírus da hepatite C e Schistosoma mansoni e os fatores de risco associados a indivíduos com esquistossomose. MÉTODOS: Revisão realizada nas bases de dados Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Biblioteca Cochrane e Ibecs. Os critérios de seleção e a obtenção dos dados foram baseados em métodos de revisão sistemática. Foram encontradas 45 referências relevantes, das quais nove foram excluídas na primeira triagem, 14 na leitura dos resumos e nove na leitura completa. Treze artigos foram selecionados para análise. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da associação entre vírus da hepatite C e Schistosoma mansoni variou de 1% na Etiópia a 50% no Egito. Alguns estudos apresentam metodologias pouco definidas, mesmo em áreas caracterizadas pela associação entre vírus da hepatite C e S. mansoni , como Brasil e Egito, o que não permitiu conclusões consistentes. As taxas de infecção pelo VHC em populações esquistossomáticas foram heterogêneas e os fatores de risco para adquirir o vírus foram variáveis. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar das limitações, esta análise pode ajudar a identificar regiões com maiores taxas dessa associação. Outros estudos serão necessários para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas de prevenção e controle dessas doenças.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review of the prevalence of the HCV/ S. mansoni co-infection and associated factors in Schistosoma mansoni -infected populations. METHODS: The bibliographic search was carried out using the Medline, Lilacs, SciELO, Cochrane Library and Ibecs databases. The criteria for the studies' selection and the extraction data were based on systematic review methods. Forty five studies were found, with nine being excluded in a first screening. Thirteen articles were used for data extraction. RESULTS: The HCV infection rates in schistosomiasis populations range from 1% in Ethiopia to 50% in Egypt. Several studies had poorly defined methodologies, even in areas characterized by an association between hepatitis C and schistosomiasis, such as Brazil and Egypt, which meant conclusions were inconsistent. HCV infection rates in schistosomotic populations were heterogeneous and risk factors for acquiring the virus varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations, this review may help to identify regions with higher rates of hepatitis C and schistosomiasis association. However, more studies are necessary for the development of public health policies on prevention and control of both diseases.

OBJETIVO: Realizar revisión sistemática sobre la prevalencia de la co-infección del virus de la hepatitis C y Schistosoma mansoni y los factores de riesgo asociados a individuos con esquistosomosis. MÉTODOS: Revisión realizada en las bases de datos MEDLINE, LILACS, SciELO, Biblioteca Cochrane e IBECS. Los criterios de selección y la obtención de los datos fueron basados en métodos de revisión sistemática. RESULTADOS: Fueron encontradas 45 referencias relevantes, de las cuales, nueve fueron excluidas en la primera selección, 14 en la lectura de los resúmenes y nueve en la lectura completa. Trece artículos fueron seleccionados para análisis. La prevalencia de la asociación entre virus de la hepatitis C y Schistosoma mansoni varió de 1% en Etiopia, a 50% en Egipto. Algunos estudios presentan metodologías poco definidas, inclusive en áreas caracterizadas por la asociación entre el virus de la hepatitis C y S. mansoni, como Brasil y Egipto, lo que no permitió conclusiones consistentes. Los cocientes de infección por el VHC en poblaciones esquistosómicas fueron heterogéneos y los factores de riesgo para adquirir el virus fueron variables. CONCLUSIONES: A pesar de las limitaciones, este análisis pudo ayudar a identificar regiones con mayores cocientes de esa asociación. Otros estudios serán necesarios para el desarrollo de políticas públicas de prevención y control de estas enfermedades.

CONTEXTO: A transfusão sanguínea destaca-se entre os fatores de risco implicados na transmissão dos vírus das hepatites B (VHB) e C (VHC); entretanto não há relatos da transmissão endoscópica destes vírus em pacientes com esquistossomose na forma hepatoesplênica. OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência dos marcadores sorológicos do VHB e VHC em pacientes com esquistossomose hepatoesplênica e avaliar os possíveis fatores de risco associados a essas infecções. MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo transversal, com 230 pacientes com esquistossomose hepatoesplênica atendidos em um Hospital Universitário de Recife, PE, Brasil, no período de fevereiro a agosto de 2008. Os pacientes responderam a um questionário padronizado sobre os fatores de risco. Nas amostras de soro foram pesquisados o anti-HBc total, o anti-HBs, o HBsAg e o anti-VHC por ensaio imunoenzimático. As análises estatísticas utilizadas foram a univariada e a regressão logística múltipla. RESULTADOS: Encontrou-se prevalencia de 30% para anti-HBc total e/ou HBsAg e 7,4% para o anti-VHC. Houve maior frequencia de pacientes positivos do sexo feminino e idade .50 anos para os marcadores analisados. Verificou-se associação significativa entre a presenca do anti-HCV e a categoria de seis ou mais transfusões. Nao foi constatada associação do antecedente e numero de endoscopias digestivas com os marcadores sorologicos analisados. CONCLUSÕES: Constatou-se maior prevalência de marcadores sorológicos do VHB e menor prevalência para o anti-VHC. Evidenciou-se o sexo feminino e paciente de idade avançada como as categorias mais atingidas e maior probabilidade da infecção pelo VHC em pacientes politransfundidos.

CONTEXT: Blood transfusion is one of the major risk factors for the transmission of the hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses. However, there are no reports describing the endoscopic transmission of these viruses in patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of serological markers of HBV and HCV in patients with the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis and evaluate the possible risk factors associated with these infections. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 230 patients with hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis who attended a university hospital in Recife, Northeastern Brazil, from February to August 2008. The patients answered a standardized questionnaire about risk factors. Serum samples were analyzed for anti-HBc total, anti-HBs, HBsAg, and anti-HCV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: The prevalence was 30% for anti-HBc total and/or HBsAg and 7.4% for anti-HCV. There was a higher frequency of the serological markers in females and in patients aged .50 years. A significant association was detected between the presence of anti-HCV and the receipt of six or more blood transfusions. There was no association of history and number of digestive endoscopies with the serological markers analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a higher prevalence of serological markers for HBV and a lower prevalence of anti-HCV. Our results indicate that females and patients of an advanced age are the most affected categories and that patients that received multiple transfusions are at a higher probability of HCV infection.

Praziquantel chemotherapy has been the focus of the Schistosomiasis Control Program in Brazil for the past two decades. Nevertheless, information on the impact of selective chemotherapy against Schistosoma mansoni infection under the conditions confronted by the health teams in endemic municipalities remains scarce. This paper compares the spatial pattern of infection before and after treatment with either a 40 mg/kg or 60 mg/kg dose of praziquantel by determining the intensity of spatial cluster among patients at 180 and 360 days after treatment. The spatial-temporal distribution of egg-positive patients was analysed in a Geographic Information System using the kernel smoothing technique. While all patients became egg-negative after 21 days, 17.9% and 30.9% reverted to an egg-positive condition after 180 and 360 days, respectively. Both the prevalence and intensity of infection after treatment were significantly lower in the 60 mg/kg than in the 40 mg/kg treatment group. The higher intensity of the kernel in the 40 mg/kg group compared to the 60 mg/kg group, at both 180 and 360 days, reflects the higher number of reverted cases in the lower dose group. Auxiliary, preventive measures to control transmission should be integrated with chemotherapy to achieve a more enduring impact.

Liver biopsy is the gold-standard method to stage fibrosis; however, it is an invasive procedure and is potentially dangerous. The main objective of this study was to evaluate biological markers, such as cytokines IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α and TGF-β, platelets, bilirubins (Bil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total proteins, γ-glutamil transferase (γ-GT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP), that could be used to predict the severity of hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis and hepatitis C (HC) as isolated diseases or co-infections. The following patient groups were selected: HC (n = 39), HC/hepatosplenic schistosomiasis (HSS) (n = 19), HSS (n = 22) and a control group (n = 13). ANOVA and ROC curves were used for statistical analysis. P < 0.05 was considered significant. With HC patients we showed that TNF-α (p = 0.020) and AP (p = 0.005) could differentiate mild and severe fibrosis. With regard to necroinflammatory activity, AST (p = 0.002), γ-GT (p = 0.034) and AP (p = 0.001) were the best markers to differentiate mild and severe activity. In HC + HSS patients, total Bil (p = 0.008) was capable of differentiating between mild and severe fibrosis. In conclusion, our study was able to suggest biological markers that are non-invasive candidates to evaluate fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity in HC and HC + HSS.

CONTEXTO: Tem sido descrita correlação entre os níveis séricos de globulinas e o grau de fibrose hepática nas hepatites crônicas, mas não se encontram relatos na esquistossomose mansônica. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os níveis séricos de globulinas e de IgG, e a intensidade da fibrose periportal mensurada pela ultrassonografia em pacientes com esquistossomose mansônica. MÉTODOS: Entre novembro de 2006 e fevereiro de 2007, foram estudados 41 pacientes que preencheram ficha clínica e realizaram dosagens de IgG por imunoturbidimetria e de globulinas indiretamente pelo método do biureto. A ultrassonografia foi realizada por um único pesquisador, seguindo os protocolos do Cairo e de Niamey. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi 41 anos, sendo 25 pacientes (61%) do sexo feminino. Dez dos 41 pacientes (24%) apresentaram elevação dos níveis séricos de globulinas e 21 (51%) dos de IgG. Conforme a classificação do Cairo, 21 pacientes apresentaram grau I de fibrose, 18 grau II e 2 grau III, e pela classificação de Niamey 8 apresentavam padrão C, 20 D e 13 E. Aqueles com graus II ou III de fibrose tiveram maiores níveis de IgG do que os de grau I (P = 0,047), assim como aqueles que apresentaram padrões D e E em relação ao C (P = 0,011). Não houve associação entre os níveis de globulinas e o grau ou padrão de fibrose. CONCLUSÃO: Em pacientes com esquistossomose mansônica, observou-se elevação dos níveis séricos de IgG de acordo com a progressão do grau e do padrão de fibrose periportal, mas o mesmo não se observou com os níveis de globulinas.

BACKGROUND: A correlation between the levels of serum globulins and the hepatic fibrosis degree in chronic hepatitis was described, but reports in schistosomiasis mansoni have not been found. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum globulins and IgG levels, and periportal fibrosis intensity measured by ultrasound in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni. METHODS: Between November, 2006 and February 2007, 41 patients which were eligible, filled them a questionnaire and had their levels of serum IgG measured by immunoturbidimetry and globulins indirectly measured by the Biuret method. The ultrasound was carried out by a single researcher, according to the Cairo and Niamey protocols. RESULTS: The average age was 41 years old and 25 female patients (61%). Ten patients (24%) from 41 showed serum globulins levels raised and 21 (51%) presented elevated IgG levels. According to the Cairo classification, 21 patients showed grade I of fibrosis, 18 grade II and 2 grade III; and by the Niamey classification 8 showed standard C, 20 D, and 13 E. Those with grade II or III of fibrosis had higher IgG levels than the ones with grade I (P = 0,047), as well as those who showed standards D and E as compared to C (P = 0,011). There was no association between the globulins levels and the intensity of fibrosis. CONCLUSION: In patients with schistosomiasis mansoni, an increase of the IgG serum levels was observed according to the progression from periportal fibrosis intensity, but the same was not founded with globulins levels.

Patients with acute schistosomiasis were studied before and after oxamniquine treatment. They had been exposed to cercariae 5 to 9 weeks before, and presented compatible clinical manifestations, eosinophilia, and high levels of total IgE. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 were measured by ELISA in whole blood samples under soluble egg antigen or soluble adult worm preparation stimulation. After treatment, the reduction of leukocytosis and eosinophilia were not significant, but total IgE levels decreased significantly, in contrast to IFN-gamma levels that were significantly increased. The oxamniquine treatment of acute schistosomiasis patients is followed by an improvement of a Th1 response in vitro. If this response has a protective aspect is unknown, and some investigations need to be realized.

Evaluation of hepatic fibrosis is usually performed by histopathological examination of biopsies. However, this is an invasive and potentially dangerous procedure. Several studies have proposed serum biological markers of hepatic fibrosis. This communication evaluates the use of serum cytokines as markers of hepatic fibrosis in hepatitis C, schistosomiasis, and co-infection.

Specific IgG and IgM responses to soluble egg antigen (SEA) and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) were measured by ELISA in patients with acute and chronic schistosomiasis. The tests based upon IgM and IgG antibodies responses to KLH presented the best diagnostic discrimination, and can be used in conjunction with clinical and epidemiological data to the differential diagnosis of acute schistosomiasis.

Portal hypertension is a frequent complication of chronic liver disease, detected not only in schistosomiasis, but also in cirrhosis of any etiology. Vascular alterations in the colonic mucosa are a potential source for acute or chronic bleeding and have been observed in patients with portal hypertension. The purpose of this prospective study was to describe and propose a classification for the vascular alterations of portal hypertension in the colonic mucosa among patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni. One or more alterations of portal colopathy were observed in all patients and they were classified according to their intensity, obeying the classification proposed by the authors. Portal colopathy is an important finding in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and might be the cause of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with severe portal hypertension.

The production and regulation of interleukin (IL) IL-13, IL-4 and interferon-gamma was evaluated in different clinical forms of human schistosomiasis. The mechanisms of immune regulation are apparently different in the various clinical stages of the disease, some of them being antigen specific.

Two contiguous villages in Tracunhaém county (State of Pernambuco), endemic for schistosomiasis, were studied: Itapinassu (138 inhabitants) and São Joaquim (91 inhabitants). Agriculture predominates in the former region while ceramics is the main activity in the latter. Although no statistical difference was found regarding prevalence, severe infection (>400 epg) predominated in Itapinassu, probably related to the kind of occupation. No association was found between parasite burden and severity of disease, in spite of the high infection rates for Schistosoma mansoni in both communities (approx. 60%). Typical epidemiological features of schistosomiasis such as age-related prevalences and intensities of infection (high in children, low in adults) were also mutual characteristics. Nutritional status determined through anthropometric evaluation was carried out by measuring specific anthropometric indicators. A deficit of energy intake, as well as vitamin A and riboflavin deficiencies were detected. The prevalence of moderate or severe undernutrition in patients under 18 years old was 21.9% in Itapinassu and 24.1% in São Joaquim. In this group an association was found between prevalence of schistosomiasis and chronic undernutrition. Similarly, for patients over 18 year old the prevalence of undernutrition was higher than 20%. However, in this case no association between nutritional status and either prevalence of schistosomiasis or parasite burden could be detected. The two communities had not been treated for eight years.