Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of zinc supplementation on susceptibility to S. mansoni reinfections among schoolchildren.
DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
SETTING AND SUBJECTS: 313 rural Zimbabwean schoolchildren (144 boys and 169 girls), 11–17 y).
INTERVENTIONS: Supplementation with zinc (30 or 50 mg) or placebo on schooldays for 12 months. Due to drought, a food programme was in operation during the last eight months of the study.
OUTCOME MEASURES: S. mansoni and S. haematobium reinfection rates and intensities.
RESULTS: There was no difference in reinfection rates between the zinc and placebo groups (25 vs 29%, P=0.46). However, the median intensity of S. mansoni reinfection, although low in both groups, was significantly lower in the zinc than in the placebo group (7 vs 13 eggs per gram of faeces, P=0.048). No difference in either S. haematobium reinfection rates or intensities were seen.
CONCLUSIONS: Zinc supplementation reduced the intensity of S. mansoni reinfections. Although the intensities of reinfection were very low, the finding probably reflects a biological effect of zinc that could be of public health importance in settings with higher transmission.
SPONSORSHIP: Danish International Development Assistance.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Friis, H., Ndhlovu, P., Mduluza, T. et al. The impact of zinc supplementation on Schistosoma mansoni reinfection rate and intensities: A randomized, controlled trial among rural Zimbabwean schoolchildren. Eur J Clin Nutr 51, 33–37 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600359
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600359
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Effect of preventive zinc supplementation on linear growth in children under 5 years of age in developing countries: a meta-analysis of studies for input to the lives saved tool
BMC Public Health (2011)
-
Effects on haemoglobin of multi-micronutrient supplementation and multi-helminth chemotherapy: a randomized, controlled trial in Kenyan school children
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2003)