Molecular Detection of Schistosoma haematobium DRA1 DNA in Urine and Serum Samples

Abstract

Urinary schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma haematobium, remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in rural communities where access to healthcare and preventive measures is limited. Nigeria has the greatest number of cases of schistosomiasis worldwide. The aim of this study was to detect Schistosoma haematobium Dra1 DNA fragments in urine and serum Samples. Urine and blood samples from 335 school children were collected and examined using reagent strip urinalysis, urine microscopy, PCR amplification of S. haematobium Dra1 DNA (in urine and serum samples). The overall prevalence of haematuria among the study participants was 21.5%. Haematuria was observed to be higher in males (23.4%) than females (18.8%). Age group specific distribution indicated children aged 5-7years significantly ranked higher in haematuria (28.1%; p = 0.046). According to the intensity of infection, children with heavy infection significantly recorded the highest percentage of hematuria (100%). All the 335 urine samples were evaluated for S. haematobium by microscopic and PCR techniques, of which 66 (19.7%) were positive for microscopy, 73 (21.8%) positives for dra1PCR in urine and 71 (21.2%) for dra1PCR in serum. The prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in this study was not associated with gender (p = 0.374). The highest prevalence was observed among younger children aged 5-7years using all the four techniques employed in this study. The diagnostic performance recorded for microscopy were Sn = 90.4%, Sp = 100%, PPV = 100% and NPV = 97.4%, dra1PCR in urine (Sn = 100%, Sp = 100, PPV = 100% and NPV = 100%) and dra1PCR in serum (Sn = 97.3%, Sp = 100%, PPV = 10%0 and NPV = 99.2%). Strip test is a good alternative in poor areas where PCR is not available. Polymerase chain reaction amplification is a promising test for diagnosing S. haematobium and may serve as a criterion standard in determining the accurate disease prevalence. Our findings suggest that the dra1PCR in serum is suitable for diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis and might be of value in diagnosing patients during the acute phase of infection before eggs excretion and seroconversion, and in light infections.