Diagnóstico e desafios do tratamento da esquistossomose em área endêmica de Alagoas

Abstract

Schistosoma mansoni consists of the trematode responsible for schistosomiasis mansoni, a Neglected Tropical Disease, a major converter and endemic in 78 countries. In Brazil, schistosomiasis affected about 70,000 people in the period 2010-2017. Social vulnerability and exposure to contaminated water collections for daily activities is crucial for a high number of individuals infected with S. mansoni, being a public health problem due to its growth and risk of evolution of the condition. It highlights the need to expand research related to the treatment of schistosomiasis in Alagoas, as a way to add to the control of the disease. Given this, the present work was designed as a strategy to identify the challenges presented during the treatment of schistosomiasis in the endemic region of Alagoas. 132 people living in Vila Nova, Viçosa, state of Alagoas, Brazil, actively participated in the research; popularly endemic area for schistosomiasis. The detection of positive participants was performed using the HPJ and Kato-Katz techniques; the latter as the gold standard for issuing reports. Adherence to pharmacotherapy can be assessed through interviews carried out five months after treatment. It was investigated as drug relaxants, especially the concomitant use of Praziquantel (PZQ) with antiepileptics, in addition, adverse reactions more commonly administered after oral administration of the tablet were reported. Despite the reports on the situation of strains of S. mansoni resistant to PZQ, the drug is still well tolerated and essential for carrying out preventive chemotherapy in endemic regions. The control of schistosomiasis is complex and requires multiple actions, as only the denial of cases is insufficient, demonstrating the urgency of basic sanitation practices, educational campaigns and elimination of servants. Thus, deficiencies in the disease containment process can be discerned and specific targets established for endemic regions.