Ultrasonographical findings in the urogenital organs in women and men infected with Schistosoma haematobium in northern Madagascar

SummaryUltrasonography (US) was applied in this community-based study in northern Madagascar to compare urogenital findings in Schistosoma haematobium-positive individuals (105 women and 116 men) from the high-endemic Sirama village, with urinary egg negative controls (100 women and 108 men) from the neighboring low-endemic Mataipako village. In addition to examination of the urinary tract, the female genitals were examined by transvaginal US, whereas the male genitals were examined by transrectal and transscrotal US. Pathology of the urinary tract was significantly more prevalent among women and men in Sirama. There were no differences in female genital tract between the two study populations, whereas significantly higher proportions of men in Sirama were detected with hyperechogenic and calcified lesions in the seminal vesicles and the prostate. Moreover, the mean size of the seminal vesicles was significantly larger in Sirama. There were no differences with respect to the external male genitals. Six months after anti-schistosome treatment, no changes were observed in the female genital tract in Sirama, whereas hyperechogenicity of the prostate and the seminal vesicles, in addition to size of the seminal vesicles, declined significantly. This study has provided new insight into genital pathology in S. haematobium-infected men and women. However, the clinical significance of these findings needs further exploration.