On the Diurnal Fluctuation in Schistosoma haematobium Egg Output

In this study, the output pattern of Schistosoma haematobium eggs into urine was observed on six patients from an endemic area of Taveta in Kenya with special reference to the condition of the urine, such as the urine volume and the specific gravity. As described previously, Schistosoma haematobium eggs sometimes spontaneously hatch in the urine samples of low specific gravity. Under the practical life of the patients, their urine generally became washy within 2-4 hours before noon. By counting the number of the eggs and the miracidia on each of all urine samples collected through a day, the output pattern of the eggs can be illustrated in a frequency time distribution figure. Although the total number of the eggs discharged into the urine for 24 hours is usually almost same in a given individual, it was found that 63 percent of them were discharged into the urine samples before noon, showing a peak count around 10:00-11:00 a.m. which is 15.9 times of the minimal count at night on the average. This fact suggests that the number of eggs in urine is influenced by urine volume. However, it is important that in these urine samples before noon, the empty eggs and the emerged miracidia were very frequently demonstrated, and that the intact eggs having infectivity were rather predominant in the urine of early afternoon