A total of 102 autochthonous patients from the districts of Lagoa Redonda and Menezes (Sapeaçu, Bahia), with ages rangingfrom nine to 19years, were evaluated for intestinal symptoms related to the chronic phase of Schistosomiasis mansoni, with emphasis on the following complaints: abdominal pain, diarrhea, mucus and blood in the stools. One half of the sample (case group) was treated with mebendazole followed by oxamniquine; the otherhalf (control group) received only mebendazole. The results showed that schistosomiasis is probably responsible for the appearance of mucus and/or blood in the stools, since a statistically significant reduction of such manifestations was achieved with specific treatment.
Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis; Chronic phase of schistosomiasis; Intestinal manifestations