[Intestinal bilharziasis in Guadelupa].

The author studies the significance of intestinal bilharziosis in Guadeloupe. Immunologic methods have been used because of their greater sensitivity: a complement fixation micromethod using a delipidated antigen is described. The study of about 8,500 sera taken in various areas showed the significance of bilharziosis: the mean level of positive sera was 35%, a figure much higher than those obtained with parasitologic methods. The percentage observed in the various regions showed sometimes very great differences, which may be explained by various factors, the most important ones being the population density, the disposition of the hydrographic network and its relationships with habitat. Such a study, if it could be carried out during the next years, should allow to appreciate the efficiency of the control measures of the endemia.