Schistosomiasis mansoni in the Dominican Republic; prevalence and intensity in various urban and rural communities, 1982-1987.

Surveys to detect foci of schistosomiasis mansoni endemicity in the Dominican Republic were carried out from 1982 to 1987 and showed that the disease is far more widely distributed in the country than previously thought. New foci (San Rafael del Yuma, Batey Palo Bonito, Maicillo, Nisibon and additional barrios in the city of Higuey) were found in the eastern provinces, and other completely new foci (Bayaguana, Sabana Rey (Cotui) and Jarabacoa) in the center of the country and in the National District (Guerra) were also detected. Prevalence rates in the various barrios (sections) of the city of Higuey varied between 7.4% and 24.6%, whereas they were 10.2% in Maicillo, 7.8% in El Valle and 9.9% in El Seibo. The intensity of infection was very low as judged by eggs per gram of feces. Serodiagnosis using the circumoval precipitin test raised the infection rate from that indicated by stool examination, as in Maicillo, or both results were equal, as in Las Palmillas.