OBJECTIVES: To identify the biomarkers: CRP, IgE, hemoglobin, ferritin, vitamin D, and platelets in terms of relationship with active and chronic schistosomiasis; demographic data, and their interinfluence.
STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study.
METHODS: Parasitological analysis of stool and urine samples, Indirect Hemagglutination Test, Enzyme linked Immunoassay, Hematology Analyzer, and Statistical Package SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) version 25.
RESULTS: Out of 400 participants, 25% suffered of schistosomiasis: active S. mansoni infections in 7 cases (1.75%), S. haematobium infections in 6 cases (1.5%), and chronic schistosomiasis infections in 20 cases (5%). Creactive protein (CRP) likewise IgE levels were higher in active S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections when compared with chronic schistosomiasis. IgE levels appeared to affect infection intensity in S. haematobium. Inversely, hemoglobin (Hb) values were low in active schistosomiasis and upgraded in chronic infection (*p<0.05). Ferritin levels varied in active Schistosoma infection and normalized during chronicity. Vitamin D was reduced in active and chronic schistosomiais. Platelet counts were within normal ranges throughout the study groups. Distribution of ferritin, vit D, and platelets was statistically insignificant among Schistosoma infected population. Age affected only hemoglobin, CRP, and IgE biomarkers. CRP and IgE were in direct relationship together and inversely proportional with hemoglobin (*P <0.05).
CONCLUSION: Anemia increased proportionally with biomarkers of inflammatory stress (CRP and IgE) in early infections. Meanwhile, Hb and ferritin (iron stores) improved during chronicity. Hypovitaminosis-D associated the entire course of schistosomiasis while platelet counts were not affected.