In 1851, Theodor Bilharz described a parasitic infection (bilharzia) that would later be termed schistosomiasis. Currently, 200 million people in 74 countries have this disease; 120 million of them have symptoms, and 20 million have severe illness.1 Schistosomiasis is caused by parasitic trematode worms (schistosomes) that reside in the abdominal veins of their vertebrate definitive hosts. The life cycle of the schistosome is depicted in Figure 1. Schistosomiasis is 1 of the 10 tropical diseases especially targeted for control by the Special Program for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases of the United Nations Development Program, the World Bank, . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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Current concepts - Schistosomiasis

Hepatic and Intestinal Schistosomiasis: Review

Forty-six patients were diagnosed as having schistosomal, tuberculous, or amebic colitis over a two-year period using colonoscopy and biopsy. Both schistosomal and tuberculous colitis could be diagnosed by characteristic endoscopic and histologic features in the majority of cases. Colonoscopy provided the added advantage of endoscopic polypectomy at the diagnostic session itsell. The yield of granulomas in tuberculous lesions was 100 percent, although acid-fast bacilli could not be recovered from any. The endoscopic picture of amebic colitis often resembles that of inflammatory bowel disease; hence endoscopic biopsies are of paramount importance in establishing a correct diagnosis, especially in developing countries where both diseases exist with considerable frequency.

The value of colonoscopy in schistosomal, tuberculous, and amebic colitis. Two-year experience.

Schistosomiasis is an important disease in many parts of the world and has affected the course of human history many times over. The parasitic infection is acquired during contact with infected water. A chronic inflammatory response to schistosome eggs, mediated by both cellular and humoral mechanisms, is the root of the pathology seen in schistosomiasis. Hepatosplenic disease results in intrahepatic presinusoidal portal hypertension. The resultant esophageal and gastric varices are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Standard treatment guidelines for managing varices can be applied to patients with schistosomiasis. Coinfection with viral hepatitis results in liver disease that progresses more rapidly and is more difficult to treat. Intestinal schistosomiasis may be confused with other disease states and can be an important cause of morbidity, especially in heavily infected patients. Diagnosis relies on demonstration of schistosome eggs in feces or tissue. Praziquantel is the treatment of choice. The development of a vaccine for schistosomiasis is an important goal in the attempt to control this disease.

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Gastrointestinal complications of schistosomiasis.

Background and Objective: Schistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in the world, and continues to be a global public health concern in the developing world. The main objective of the article is to study the various clinicopathological features of Chronic schistosomiasis in different anatomical sites; also emphasizing on the need to suspect this parasitic disease even in non-endemic or low-endemicity areas. Material and methods: Ours was a prospective study, conducted at King Faisal Hospital (Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) from year 2001 to 2005. The study included 32 cases of schistosomiasis involving various organs. Results:32 cases of schistosomiasis affecting various organs were reported. Appendix was the most common organ involved with 16 cases, while ureteric involvement was seen only in 1 case. Urinary bladder involvement was seen in 5 cases while 4 cases affected intestinal tract. Liver, gall bladder and prostate involvement was seen in 2 cases each. All cases were completely cured on treatment with Praziquantel except 2 cases of urinary bladder which developed squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Early diagnosis and treatment of the infection results in complete cure without any complication, and therefore high level of suspicion is required in persons visiting or residing in highly endemic areas.

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A.M. Abou El Magd

Papers

Multiple endoscopic polypectomies for schistosomal polyposis of the colon.