Comparison of the Kato-Katz and Helmintex methods for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis in a low-intensity transmission focus in Bandeirantes, Paraná, southern Brazil

The diagnosis of schistosomiasis is problematic in low-intensity transmission areas because parasitological methods lack sensitivity and molecular methods are neither widely available nor extensively validated. Helmintex is a method for isolating eggs from large faecal samples. We report preliminary results of a comparative evaluation of the Helmintex and Kato-Katz (KK) methods for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis in a low-intensity transmission area in Bandeirantes, Paraná, southern Brazil. Eggs were detected by both methods in seven patients, whereas only Helmintex yielded positive results in four individuals. The results confirm the previously demonstrated higher sensi-tivity of the Helmintex method compared with the KK method. Key words: schistosomiasis- low endemicity- parasitological diagnosis Improvements in living conditions and the success-ful implementation of measures to control schistosomia-sis have led to reductions in its transmission intensity, prevalence and parasitic burden in several areas (Cromp-ton et al. 2003). These reductions have been detected in recently established foci, such as Esteio, in the south-ernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. In thes