[Epidemiological study of foci of S. intercalatum schistosomiasis in Eseka and Edea (Cameroon). Effects of treatment with praziquantel].

In Eseka and Edea bilharziasis caused by S. intercalatum is transmitted by B. forskali, the only intermediate host of human schistosomes found in the area. The prevalence of the disease is obtained by calculating the percentage of inhabitants voiding eggs in their stools in the districts of the towns located in the neighbourhood of Bulinus-containing streams and ponds. The prevalence is low, 5,6% in Eseka and 4,9% in Edea. The size and the number of waterbodies where transmission occurs is small. Rectoscopy showed that rectal and sigmoid lesions are frequently seen. Clinical manifestations are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dysentery, tenesmus, appearance of blood in the stools. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly occur sometimes. A single dose of 2-cyclohexylcarbonyl-1,2,3,6,7,11b-hexahydro-4H-pyrazino[2,1-a] isoquinolin-4-one (praziquantel, EMBAY 8440, Biltricide) is effective in the treatment of the disease.