Approximately 50 publications have become available in the
international literature on ultrasonography in schistosomiasis
in Africa. Geographically these cover Congo, Egypt, Kenya,
Mali, Mauritius, Niger, Senegal, Sudan, Tanzania and East
African Islands as well as Zimbabwe. Further studies are
ongoing in many countries, such as Burundi, Ghana, Madagaskar
and Uganda.
It was shown that ultrasonography is useful in the detection
of morbidity induced by schistosomiasis on an individual basis
and on the community level. There is indication for varying
morbidity patterns in different African foci. Post-treatment
monitoring has provided evidence for reversibility of
pathological lesions induced by Schistosoma (S.) haematobium
and S. mansoni, even though evidence for reversibility of
periportal fibrosis in adults is not yet satisfactorily
substantiated. A standardized set of criteria for
ultrasonographical observations has been worked out and is
presently in the process of being refined. It is thus hoped
that standardization will contribute to render studies in
different endemic settings comparable on a global basis.
