Background: Schistosomiasis is the most prevalent among water-based parasitic infections which is caused by infection from the genus Schistosoma. Urinary schistosomiasis is a human disease which is caused by Schistosoma haematobium.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among randomly selected 600 rice farmers, comprising of 354 males and 246 females from Kaduna State, Nigeria. The point-of-care (POC) circulating cathodic antigen (CCA) urine test strip (Rapid Medical Diagnostics) was evaluated for the diagnosis of active Schistosoma haematobium infection while urine filtration technique using polycarbonate membrane filter (Sterlitech, Kent, WA, USA) was employed for microscopic processing of urine samples. Chi square (χ²) test was used to determine the association between variables and infection at 95% confidence interval at p = 0.05.

Results: A prevalence of 15.5% was recorded among rice farmers and had a statistically significant association with the detection of S. haematobium antigen (p < 0.05) in relation to the different locations studied. Microscopy revealed a prevalence of 0.83%. Age was significantly associated with urinary schistosomiasis (p < 0.05) using the CCA test strip, with those in age group 15-24 years having the highest prevalence of 27.5%. The sensitivity of CCA was 85% while the specificity was 93%. Marital status of rice farmers was significantly associated with S. haematobium antigen in urine (p < 0.05) with singles having the highest prevalence of 20.0%.

Conclusion: POC-CCA urine test in combination with microscopy can be helpful in rapidly detecting active infection in urine of rice farmers who are shedding or not shedding Schistosoma haematobium ova.

Keywords: Circulating cathodic antigen (CCA), Schistosoma haematobium, rice farmers, rapid test.

1. World Health Organization (WHO). Schistosomiasis.who.int/mediacentre/factsheetsfs 115/en/2016.
2. King CH. Parasites and poverty: the case of schistosomiasis. Acta Tropica, 2010; 113:95 104.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Neglected Tropical Diseases.gov. 2011.
4. Hotez PJ and Kamath A.Neglected tropical diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: review of their prevalence, distribution and disease burden. PLo S Negl Trop Dis. 2009;3:e412.
5. Adenowo AF, Oyinloye BE, Ogunyinka BI, Kappo AP. Impact of Human schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. Braz J of Infect Dis.2015; 19(2):196-205.
6. Uneke CJ, Oyibo PG, Ugwuoru CDC, Nwanokwai AP, Iloegbunam RO Urinary Schistosomiasis among School Age Children in Ebonyi State,Nigeria. Intern JLab Med.2007;2(1):1.
7. Chidozie EU, Duniyan SY. Urinary schistosomiasis epidemiological survey of urinary schistosomiasis among childrenin selected schools: A preliminary study in Minna,        AfrJ Biotechnol.2008;7 (16):2773-2776.
8. Aljafari AS, Abosalif KO, Shammat IM, Shiff CJ, Ahmed AA. Evaluation of Polymerase Chain Reaction and Millipore filtration method for the diagnosis of Schistosoma haematobium: A comparative study. EC Microbiol. 2015;1 (3):150-154.
9. Van Dam GJ, Wichers JH, Ferreira TM, Ghati D, van Amerongen A, Deelder AM Diagnosis of schistosomiasis by reagent strip test for detection of circulating cathodic antigen. J ClinMicrobiol 2004;42:5458–5461.
10. Midzi N, Butterworth AE, Mduluza T, Munyati S, Deeldere AM, van Dame GJ.Use of circulating cathodic antigen strips for the diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg.2009;103:45-51.
11. Nale Y, Galadima M, Yakubu SE. Seasonal changes in the distribution and infection rate of schistosome intermediate hosts in river Kubanni and its tributaries. Biosci Res Comm. 2003;15(3):2007-2011.
12. Sam-wobo SO, Ajayi TO, Ijaduola T, Ekpo UF, Adeleke MA, Surakat MA, et al. Status of urinary schistosomiasis among primary school children in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Int J Med. 2013;5:106-109.
13. Anosike JC, Ogwuike UT, Nwoke BEB, Asor JE, Ikpeama CA, Nwosu DC et al. Studies on vesical schistosomiasis among rural Ezza farmers in the Southwestern border of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Ann Agric EnvironMed.2006; 13:13-19.
14. Ekpo UF, Laja-DeilA, OluwoleAS, Sam WoboSO Mafiana CF. Urinary schistosomiasis among preschool children in a rural community near Abeokuta, Nigeria. Parasite Vectors2010; 3:58-62.
15. Bigwan EI, Tinga B, Damen J. Prevalence of schistosomiasis among   secondary school boarding students in Potiskum metropolis, Yobe State, Northern Nigeria. BAJOPAS 2012; 5:155-158.
16. Nwosu DC, Nwachukwu PC, Avoaja DA, Ajero CMU, Nwanjo HU, Obeagu GI, et al. Index of potential contamination for urinary schistosomiasis in Afikpo North L.G.A. Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2015;2(1):439-449.
17. Akinbo, F.O., Okaka, C.E. and Omoregie, R. (2011). Proportion of urinary schistosomiasis among HIV-infected subjects in Benin City, Nigeria. Oman Med J.2011; 26(3):175-177.
18. Sanneh B, Joof E, Sanyang AM, Renneker K, Camara Y, Sey AP et al. Field evaluation of a schistosome circulating cathodic antigen rapid test kit at point-of-care for mapping of schistosomiasis endemic districts in the Gambia. PLoS One. 2017;12(8): e0182003.

Awua, Yuana

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.., Mobile Number: +234 8065694225