Schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminths in Brazil

June 24, 2023

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Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is present in most Brazilian states, but mainly in the Northeast and Southeast regions. The states of Alagoas, Bahia, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Sergipe, Espírito Santo, Maranhão and Minas Gerais are endemic, with established transmission.

Between January 2010 and October 2022, more than 10.7 million tests were performed in these endemic areas of Brazil, with the detection of S. mansoni eggs in 410,654 (3.8%) of the stool samples examined. There were also 23,333 (0.2%) results with severe infections, with 17 or more eggs detected. In the same period, 2,389 hospitalizations and 6,130 deaths were recorded, representing an average of 472 deaths per year.

Soil transmitted helminths

Soil transmitted helminths, or Geohelminthiasis is distributed throughout the country, mainly in rural areas and on the outskirts of urban centers. Children between five and 14 years old are an important risk group for infections, as they are in a period of intense physical growth, rapid metabolism and higher nutritional needs, which, if not adequately met, make them more susceptible.

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In addition, they affect the public with frequent exposure to contaminated water or soil, often without the necessary awareness of proper hygiene habits. According to data from the last national prevalence survey, carried out between 2010 and 2015, 197,564 schoolchildren were examined and 5,192 (2.7%) cases of hookworm, 11,531 (6%) cases of ascariasis and 10,654 (5.4%) cases of trichuriasis. The highest prevalence were found in the North and Northeast regions.

The prevention of schistosomiasis consists of avoiding contact with waters where infected intermediate host snails exist, in addition to implementing basic sanitation and health education measures. On the other hand, geohelminthiasis can be prevented with the following actions: wash your hands well before meals and after going to the bathroom, drink filtered or boiled water, do not walk barefoot, wash food well and store it correctly, and do not evacuate near or in the waters of rivers, dams and lakes.