{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,2]],"date-time":"2026-10-02T07:26:04Z","timestamp":1790925964148,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":41,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"9","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,22]],"date-time":"2025-04-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1745280000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"\u201cEDCT_CANTAM3\u201d"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Diagnostics"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Urogenital schistosomiasis is endemic in Gabon. Our study aimed to detect the prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the qPCR technique compared to microscopy for the detection of Schistosoma haematobium at the community level in a semi-rural area. Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out. Urine samples were examined using Urine TICK test strips, a filtration technique, and qPCR. Schistosoma haematobium was detected by targeting the Dra1 gene. Results: The prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was determined and the performance of real-time PCR and urine strips was compared with that of urinary filtration. A total of 281 participants were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was increased slightly with the molecular technique (40.9%) compared to microscopy (36.7%), and the hematuria rate with Urine STICK was 33.5%. SAC (5\u201314 years old), Pre-SAC (&gt;5 years old), and adolescents (15\u201317 years old) were the most affected group according to, respectively, whatever method was used. qPCR showed good agreement with microscopy, as well as excellent sensitivity (99.03%) and specificity (93.3). There was a good correlation between the number of eggs per 10 mL and the cycle threshold range. Conclusion: These results show the importance of using a combination of diagnostic tools in the surveillance of schistosomiasis, particularly in preschool children, adolescents, women of childbearing age, and chronic and asymptomatic cases.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/diagnostics15091052","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,22]],"date-time":"2025-04-22T02:00:53Z","timestamp":1745287253000},"page":"1052","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":8,"title":["Molecular Detection of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Community Level in Semi-Rural Areas in South-East Gabon"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3374-4164","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lady Charl\u00e8ne","family":"Kouna","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sandrine Lydie","family":"Oyegue-Liabagui","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"},{"name":"Ecole Doctorale R\u00e9gionale d\u2019Afrique Centrale en Infectiologie Tropicale, Franceville BP 876, Gabon"},{"name":"D\u00e9partement de Biologie, Facult\u00e9 des Sciences, Universit\u00e9 des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku, Franceville BP 901, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chenis Nick","family":"Atiga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ch\u00e9rone Nancy","family":"Mbani Mpega Ntigui","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5124-8140","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rom\u00e9o Karl","family":"Imboumy-Limoukou","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jean Claude","family":"Biteghe BI Essone","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8731-0639","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Steede Seinnat","family":"Ontoua","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Diamella Nancy","family":"Moukodoum","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Alain Prince","family":"Okouga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9417-1358","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jean Bernard","family":"Lekana-Douki","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit\u00e9 d\u2019Evolution, Epid\u00e9miologie et R\u00e9sistances Parasitaires (UNEEREP), Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche M\u00e9dicales de Franceville, Franceville BP 769, Gabon"},{"name":"Ecole Doctorale R\u00e9gionale d\u2019Afrique Centrale en Infectiologie Tropicale, Franceville BP 876, Gabon"},{"name":"D\u00e9partement de Parasitologie Mycologie et de M\u00e9decine Tropicale, Universit\u00e9 des Science de la Sant\u00e9, Libreville BP 18231, Gabon"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"(2024, September 03). WHO Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia). Available online: https:\/\/www.who.int\/health-topics\/schistosomiasis."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"425","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jare.2012.07.003","article-title":"Epidemiology of Schistosomiasis in Egypt: Travel through Time: Review","volume":"4","author":"Barakat","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Adv. Res."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2253","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(13)61949-2","article-title":"Human schistosomiasis","volume":"383","author":"Colley","year":"2014","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"275","DOI":"10.1093\/infdis\/jiv035","article-title":"Gynecological Manifestations, Histopathological Findings, and Schistosoma-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction Results Among Women with Schistosoma haematobium Infection: A Cross-sectional Study in Madagascar","volume":"212","author":"Randrianasolo","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Infect. Dis."},{"key":"ref_5","unstructured":"Jordan, P., Webbe, G., and Sturrock, R.F. (2024, September 03). Human Schistosomiasis. Available online: https:\/\/www.cabidigitallibrary.org\/doi\/full\/10.5555\/19942027156."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Deribew, K., Yewhalaw, D., Erko, B., and Mekonnen, Z. (2022). Urogenital schistosomiasis prevalence and diagnostic performance of urine filtration and urinalysis reagent strip in schoolchildren, Ethiopia. PLoS ONE, 17.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0271569"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"998","DOI":"10.4269\/ajtmh.2011.10-0691","article-title":"Diagnosis of Schistosoma haematobium by detection of specific DNA fragments from filtered urine samples","volume":"84","author":"Ibironke","year":"2011","journal-title":"Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"777","article-title":"Measurement of schistosomiasis-related morbidity at community level in areas of different endemicity","volume":"68","author":"Hatz","year":"1990","journal-title":"Bull. World Health Organ."},{"key":"ref_9","first-page":"1748","article-title":"Assessment of microscopic hematuria in adults","volume":"73","author":"McDonald","year":"2006","journal-title":"Am. Fam. Physician"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mewamba, E.M., Tiofack, A.A.Z., Kamdem, C.N., Ngassam, R.I.K., Mbagnia, M.C.T., Nyangiri, O., Noyes, H., Womeni, H.M., Njiokou, F., and Simo, G. (2021). Field assessment in Cameroon of a reader of POC-CCA lateral flow strips for the quantification of Schistosoma mansoni circulating cathodic antigen in urine. PLoS Neglected Trop. Dis., 15.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0009569"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"271","DOI":"10.3347\/kjp.2015.53.3.271","article-title":"Genetic Diversity of Schistosoma haematobium Eggs Isolated from Human Urine in Sudan","volume":"53","author":"Quan","year":"2015","journal-title":"Korean J. Parasitol."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1028","DOI":"10.4269\/ajtmh.12-0571","article-title":"Molecular diagnosis of Schistosoma infections in urine samples of school children in Ghana","volume":"88","author":"Aryeetey","year":"2013","journal-title":"Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lodh, N., Naples, J.M., Bosompem, K.M., Quartey, J., and Shiff, C.J. (2014). Detection of Parasite-Specific DNA in Urine Sediment Obtained by Filtration Differentiates between Single and Mixed Infections of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium from Endemic Areas in Ghana. PLoS ONE, 9.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0091144"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8","DOI":"10.1186\/s40249-018-0390-y","article-title":"Real-time PCR diagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum in low transmission areas of China","volume":"7","author":"He","year":"2018","journal-title":"Infect. Dis. Poverty"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1590\/0074-02760140375","article-title":"Evaluation of parasitological and molecular techniques for the diagnosis and assessment of cure of schistosomiasis mansoni in a low transmission area","volume":"110","author":"Siqueira","year":"2015","journal-title":"Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1186\/s40249-022-00958-0","article-title":"Hybridization increases genetic diversity in Schistosoma haematobium populations infecting humans in Cameroon","volume":"11","author":"Teukeng","year":"2022","journal-title":"Infect. Dis. Poverty"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"325","DOI":"10.4269\/ajtmh.19-0835","article-title":"Epidemiology of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminth Coinfections among Schoolchildren Living in Lambar\u00e9n\u00e9, Gabon","volume":"103","author":"Honkpehedji","year":"2020","journal-title":"Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mintsa Nguema, R., Mavoungou, J.F., Mengue Me Ngou-Milama, K., Mabicka Mamfoumbi, M., Koumba, A.A., Sani Lamine, M., Diarra, A., Nkone Asseko, G., Mourou, J.R., and Bouyou Akotet, M.K. (2018). Baseline Mapping of Schistosomiasis and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis in the Northern and Eastern Health Regions of Gabon, Central Africa: Recommendations for Preventive Chemotherapy. Trop. Med. Infect. Dis., 3.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints201808.0442.v1"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1153","DOI":"10.4269\/ajtmh.14-0005","article-title":"Impact of Short-Time Urine Freezing on the Sensitivity of an Established Schistosoma Real-Time PCR Assay","volume":"90","author":"Kenguele","year":"2014","journal-title":"Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"(2024, September 04). Gabon \u2022 Fiche Pays \u2022 PopulationData.net. Available online: https:\/\/www.populationdata.net\/pays\/gabon\/."},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"85","article-title":"Prevalence evaluation of intestinal parasites in rural and sub-urban area in Gabon","volume":"12","author":"Kendzo","year":"2009","journal-title":"Bull. M\u00e9dical d\u2019Owendo"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cnops, L., Soentjens, P., Clerinx, J., and Van Esbroeck, M. (2013). A Schistosoma haematobium-specific real-time PCR for diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis in serum samples of international travelers and migrants. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis., 7.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0002413"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"51","DOI":"10.1186\/s41936-021-00248-5","article-title":"Schistosoma haematobium DNA and eggs in urine of patients from Sohag, Egypt","volume":"82","author":"Bayoumy","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Basic Appl. Zool."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-023-05671-x","article-title":"Molecular diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis in pre-school children, school-aged children and women of reproductive age at community level in central Senegal","volume":"16","author":"Sow","year":"2023","journal-title":"Parasites Vectors"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"149","DOI":"10.1186\/s13071-019-3397-8","article-title":"Correction to: Urogenital schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar: Accuracy of urine filtration and haematuria reagent strips for diagnosing light intensity Schistosoma haematobium infections","volume":"12","author":"Knopp","year":"2019","journal-title":"Parasites Vectors"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Degarege, A., Mekonnen, Z., Levecke, B., Legesse, M., Negash, Y., Vercruysse, J., and Erko, B. (2015). Prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium Infection among School-Age Children in Afar Area, Northeastern Ethiopia. PLoS ONE, 10.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0133142"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4397263","DOI":"10.1155\/2019\/4397263","article-title":"Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with S. haematobium Egg Excretion during the Dry Season, Six Months following Mass Distribution of Praziquantel (PZQ) in 2017 in the Bafia Health Area, South West Region Cameroon: A Cross-Sectional Study","volume":"2019","author":"Ndassi","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Parasitol. Res."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1186\/s40249-016-0174-1","article-title":"Epidemiological and clinical aspects of urogenital schistosomiasis in women, in Burkina Faso, West Africa","volume":"5","author":"Zida","year":"2016","journal-title":"Infect. Dis. Poverty"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rite, E.E., Kapalata, S.N., and Munisi, D.Z. (2020). Prevalence, Intensity, and Factors Associated with Urogenital Schistosomiasis among Women of Reproductive Age in Mbogwe District Council, Geita Region, Tanzania. Biomed. Res. Int., 2020.","DOI":"10.1155\/2020\/5923025"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mazigo, H.D., Uisso, C., Kazyoba, P., Nshala, A., and Mwingira, U.J. (2021). Prevalence, infection intensity and geographical distribution of schistosomiasis among pre-school and school aged children in villages surrounding Lake Nyasa, Tanzania. Sci. Rep., 11.","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-020-80317-x"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mazigo, H.D., Mwingira, U.J., Zinga, M.M., Uisso, C., Kazyoba, P.E., Kinung\u2019hi, S.M., and Mutapi, F. (2022). Urogenital schistosomiasis among pre-school and school aged children in four districts of north western Tanzania after 15 years of mass drug administration: Geographical prevalence, risk factors and performance of haematuria reagent strips. PLoS Neglected Trop. Dis., 16.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0010834"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1186\/s40249-018-0483-7","article-title":"Reinfection of urogenital schistosomiasis in pre-school children in a highly endemic district in Northern Zimbabwe: A 12 months compliance study","volume":"7","author":"Tshuma","year":"2018","journal-title":"Infect. Dis. Poverty"},{"key":"ref_33","unstructured":"WHO Expert Committee on the Control of Schistosomiasis (\u200e2001 : Geneva, Switzerland), and World Health Organization. (\u200e2002)\u200e (2024, September 03). Prevention and Control of Schistosomiasis and Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis: Report of a WHO Expert Committee; World Health Organization. Available online: https:\/\/iris.who.int\/handle\/10665\/42588."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gordon, C.A., Acosta, L.P., Gobert, G.N., Olveda, R.M., Ross, A.G., Williams, G.M., Gray, D.J., Harn, D., Li, Y., and McManus, D.P. (2015). Real-time PCR Demonstrates High Prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum in the Philippines: Implications for Surveillance and Control. PLoS Neglected Trop. Dis., 9.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0003483"},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"133","article-title":"Prevalence and molecular characterisation of Schistosoma haematobium among primary school children in Kebbi State, Nigeria","volume":"63","author":"Umar","year":"2017","journal-title":"Ann. Parasitol."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Melchers, N.V.S.V., van Dam, G.J., Shaproski, D., Kahama, A.I., Brienen, E.A.T., Vennervald, B.J., and Lieshout, L. (2014). van Diagnostic Performance of Schistosoma Real-Time PCR in Urine Samples from Kenyan Children Infected with Schistosoma haematobium: Day-to-day Variation and Follow-up after Praziquantel Treatment. PLoS Neglected Trop. Dis., 8.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0002807"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gillardie, M.-L., Babba, O., Mahinc, C., Duthel, M., de Bengy, C., Morineaud, C., Rivollier, E., and Flori, P. (2021). Molecular approach to the epidemiology of urinary schistosomiasis in France. PLoS Negl. Trop. Dis., 15.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pntd.0009515"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"683","DOI":"10.1007\/s00436-018-6137-7","article-title":"Improved detection of DNA Schistosoma haematobium from eggs extracted by bead beating in urine","volume":"118","author":"Pomari","year":"2019","journal-title":"Parasitol. Res."},{"key":"ref_39","first-page":"75","article-title":"Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) investigations of prepatent Schistosoma haematobium cercariae incidence in five water bodies, South West, Nigeria","volume":"41","author":"Akande","year":"2012","journal-title":"Afr. J. Med. Med. Sci."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"992","DOI":"10.1111\/tmi.13117","article-title":"Field and laboratory comparative evaluation of a LAMP assay for the diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis in Cubal, Central Angola","volume":"23","author":"Gandasegui","year":"2018","journal-title":"Trop. Med. Int. Health"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Xing, W., Yu, X., Feng, J., Sun, K., Fu, W., Wang, Y., Zou, M., Xia, W., Luo, Z., and He, H. (2017). Field evaluation of a recombinase polymerase amplification assay for the diagnosis of Schistosoma japonicum infection in Hunan province of China. BMC Infect. Dis., 17.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12879-017-2182-6"}],"container-title":["Diagnostics"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-4418\/15\/9\/1052\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T17:19:03Z","timestamp":1760030343000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-4418\/15\/9\/1052"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,22]]},"references-count":41,"journal-issue":{"issue":"9","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,5]]}},"alternative-id":["diagnostics15091052"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/diagnostics15091052","relation":{},"ISSN":["2075-4418"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2075-4418","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,4,22]]}}}