Eosinophil cationic protein, soluble egg antigen, circulating anodic antigen, and egg excretion in male urogenital schistosomiasis

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2008 Sep;79(3):422-6.

Abstract

Markers of male genital schistosomiasis (MGS) are needed to elucidate the consequences for reproductive health. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) in urine and semen, and circulating anodic antigen (CAA) in serum were assessed as MGS markers. Egg counts, ECP, and SEA in urine and CAA in serum, correlated positively. Seminal egg excretion exhibited marked day-to-day variations, but counts correlated positively with urinary egg counts and SEA in semen and with CAA. Positive predictive values with reference to seminal egg excretion were as follows: seminal ECP (52%), seminal SEA (83%), CAA (97%), and urinary egg excretion (82%). SEA in semen and CAA in serum constitute potential markers of MGS. However, urine egg counts as an indirect marker of MGS remains the preferred diagnostic method from a public health perspective.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antigens, Helminth / analysis*
  • Antigens, Helminth / blood
  • Antigens, Helminth / urine
  • Eosinophil Cationic Protein / analysis
  • Eosinophil Cationic Protein / urine*
  • Glycoproteins / blood
  • Helminth Proteins / blood
  • Humans
  • Madagascar / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovum / immunology
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / diagnosis*
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / epidemiology
  • Schistosomiasis haematobia / parasitology
  • Semen / immunology
  • Semen / parasitology*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Urine / parasitology

Substances

  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Glycoproteins
  • Helminth Proteins
  • circulating anodic antigen, Schistosoma mansoni
  • Eosinophil Cationic Protein