[An epidemiologic study of a focus of Schistosoma mansoni bilharziasis in Kara (North Togo)].

In 1985 and 1986, an epidemiological survey was carried out in a focus of Schistosoma mansoni located in Kara (Togo). 412 children, 6 months to 15 years old, were examined. The prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni, evaluated on parasitological and serological data, was of 51.5%. No parasites were found in children before the age of 4. Beyond, the prevalence increase with age; being more important in girls before 10 years and equivalent for both sexes afterwards. Moreover the number of children with hepatomegaly, was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in patients with schistosomiasis (9.6%), confirming previous results of 1981. Since this date, the prevalence has decreased from 79.6 to 51.5% just as eggs burden in the stools and mean antibodies titers. The explanation of this phenomenon remains unknown.