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390924

The Egyptian liver and schistosomiasis in 5000 years: The liver and river story

Article

Last updated: 05 Jan 2025

Subjects

-

Tags

The history of scientific discoveries and innovations.

Abstract

Background: The Nile River and the liver disease schistosomiasis share a dramatic story that unites them. Egypt is the Nile's gift to the world, as it gives it goodness and growth. On the other hand, it brings to Egypt the oldest disease in its history, schistosomiasis Aim: We aimed to review the 5 thousand years history of Schistosoma in Egypt, its relation to the Nile River, and its effect on Egyptian life and health, as well as to shed light on the efforts of the Egyptian Ministry of Health to control it in the last century, current situation, and perspectives. Results: Schistosoma in ancient Egyptian mummies proved the disease was present over 5000 years ago. Theodor Bilharz, a German professor after whom the disease is named, discovered the Schistosoma in1850. In 1937, studies found that schistosomiasis affected more than 60% of the population in rural areas. In 1926, the government initiated mass treatment and snail control programs and campaigns to combat schistosomiasis and it continued for the past 100 years, leading to a decline in the prevalence of schistosomiasis from 60% in 1937 to approximately 0.2% in 2016. Recent studies have revealed an increase in incidence in certain areas of Egypt, which raises serious concerns. Conclusion: The story of the schistosomiasis in Egypt extends more than 5000 years and despite the efforts of the state for more than a hundred year; this requires the continuation of research, treatment and control campaigns especially in the most endemic and widespread places in Egypt.

DOI

10.21608/ejhps.2024.308724.1005

Keywords

ancient, Egyptian Mummies, River Nile, Schistosomiasis, schistosoma treatment in Egypt

Authors

First Name

Mohamed

Last Name

Elgazzar

MiddleName

Fathey

Affiliation

Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University

Email

elgazzar_mohamed@yahoo.com

City

Tanta, Gharbia

Orcid

-

First Name

Mohamed

Last Name

Rady

MiddleName

Akl

Affiliation

Head of Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology

Email

aklrady1965@gmail.com

City

Shbin

Orcid

-

First Name

Farah

Last Name

Elgazzar

MiddleName

Ahmed

Affiliation

Fullerton College of Public Health, California State University, USA

Email

farohaelgazar@gmail.com

City

Irvine, California

Orcid

-

First Name

Suzan

Last Name

Morshedy

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of clinical Pathology, National Liver institute, Menoufia University

Email

suzan.elmorshedy75@yahoo.com

City

-

Orcid

-

Volume

1

Article Issue

1

Related Issue

51491

Issue Date

2024-12-01

Receive Date

2024-08-01

Publish Date

2024-12-01

Page Start

40

Page End

43

Print ISSN

3009-7355

Online ISSN

3009-7479

Link

https://ejhps.journals.ekb.eg/article_390924.html

Detail API

https://ejhps.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=390924

Order

390,924

Type

Review article

Type Code

3,186

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Egyptian Journal of History and Philosophy of Science

Publication Link

https://ejhps.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

The Egyptian liver and schistosomiasis in 5000 years: The liver and river story

Details

Type

Article

Created At

21 Dec 2024