Detection of male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) by real-time TaqMan® PCR analysis of semen from fishermen along the southern shoreline of Lake Malawi

Background Male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) is an underappreciated complication of schistosomiasis, first described in 1911. However, its epidemiology, diagnostic testing and case management are not well understood in sub-Saharan Africa. To shed new light on MGS prevalence in Malawi, a longitudinal cohort study was conducted among adult fishermen along the southern shoreline of Lake Malawi using detection of schistosome DNA in participants’ semen by real-time TaqMan® PCR analyses. Methods Upon recruitment of 376 participants, 210 submitted urine samples and 114 semen samples for parasitological tests. Thereafter, the available semen samples were subsequently analysed by real-time TaqMan® PCR. Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment was provided to all participants with follow-ups attempted at 1, 3, 6 and 12-months’ intervals. Results At baseline, real-time PCR detected a higher MGS cohort prevalence of 26.6% (n = 64, Ct-value range: 18.9–37.4), compared to 10.4% by semen microscopy. In total, 21.9% of participants (n = 114) were detected with MGS either by semen microscopy and/or by real-time PCR. Subsequent analyses at 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups indicated variable detection dynamics. Conclusions This first application of a molecular method, to detect MGS in sub-Saharan Africa, highlights the need for development of such molecular diagnostic tests which should be affordable and locally accessible. Our investigation also notes the persistence of MGS over a calendar year despite praziquantel treatment