Index of potential contamination for schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis occurs under a wide variety of climatic, geographical and other conditions. The basic reason for the transmission of schistosomes is, however, the low level of sanitation in endemic areas with the result that faeces or urine, or both, containing schistosome eggs get into water that contains freshwater snails susceptible to infection. Unfortunately, the degree of contamination of natural habitats with schistosome ova is difficult to estimate; consequently, there are few data on how much contamination, relative to a defined snail population density, is necessary to initiate or maintain transmission of schistosomiasis. This article discusses a little-used method to estimate the degree of contamination or transmission - the index of potential contamination (IPC). The expected changes in IPC after praziquantel treatment will be considered, as well as the level of reduction in IPC that might be needed to affect transmission or reduce morbidity.