Schistosoma haematobium infection is associated with increased urine foam

Abstract

We compared urine microscopy and dipstick results for urine foam from 59 children in a Schistosoma haematobium-endemic area in a blinded manner. The sensitivity and specificity, respectively, for diagnosing S. haematobium compared with microscopy was: 74% and 72% for the shake test; 61% and 97% for microscopic hematuria; and 43% and 83% for proteinuria. When >17 eggs/10 mL urine was detected on microscopy, the sensitivity and specificity, respectively, were: 100% and 72% for the shake test; 90% and 97% for microscopic hematuria; and 80% and 83% for proteinuria. Urine foam height >34 mL was significantly more likely to have S. haematobium eggs detected on microscopy (P = 0.001) than urine foam ≤34 mL, indicating that S. haematobium-infected urine is associated with increased urine foam.

Keywords: Schistosoma haematobium; diagnosis; hematuria; proteinuria; urine foam.