Abstract
A statistical comparison was carried out among 3 different parameters, i.e., egg count/volume, total egg count/sample and egg count/hour, in regards to day-to-day variations of S. haematobium egg output in midday urination. Among 3 parameters, the egg count/hour showed the most stable value. In addition, the total egg count in a urine sample was not correlated with the sample volume of the urine in the same individuals. We conclude, therefore, that the adoption of the egg count/hour was best as a parameter for a quantitative unit of intensity of infection for cohort studies where the changes of intensity of infection are monitored for a long period. The existing parameter for egg output expressed in terms of the egg count/10 ml volume of urine seems to be a less reliable reflection of the intensity of infection.
