Schistosoma (Bilharzia) Antibodies, Serum

Schistosomiasis (Bilharziosis) is a parasitic infection considered as a major cause of morbidity and mortality and has been estimated to infect over 200 million people. An estimated 500 to 600 million people worldwide are still at risk of infection. Of those who are infected, 120 million are symptomatic with 20 million having severe manifestations. The disease occurs mostly in the tropical regions, particularly in Africa, South America and the Far East and is endemic in 74 developing nations. Clinical findings of haematuria, leukocyturia, urinary tract complaints, tender abdomen, and supra-pubic tenderness are associated with S. haematobium (endemic in some Arab countries) infections, but the clinical outcome of infection is variable, ranging from mild symptoms to chronic iron deficiency and anaemia, to scarring and deformity of the ureters and bladder, to chronic bacterial superinfection, to severe damage of urinary tract organs, and ultimately to renal failure.

Diagnosis of schistosomiasis by detection of specific antibodies is more sensitive than the traditional method of diagnosis by detection of Schistosomiasis eggs in stool or urine.

1 ml Serum Room Temperature

Negative: < 1/160 Titre