Highlights & Basics
- Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease that mainly affects poor and rural communities, especially agricultural and fishing populations.
- Patients most commonly present with complications of chronic infection; either genitourinary or intestinal symptoms depending on the Schistosoma species.
- Diagnosis is made by microscopic visualization of eggs in stools or urine; supplemental approaches include serologic testing or biopsy of affected tissues (rectum or bladder) for detection of parasite eggs.
- Praziquantel is the preferred treatment for all schistosome infections. At-risk communities in endemic areas are given preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel.
- Serious complications of chronic infection include anemia, portal hypertension, genital disease, renal failure, seizures, spinal cord compression, and neoplasms.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Images
Map of geographic distribution and prevalence of Schistosoma spp
Cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni: indirect fluorescent antibody stain
Mild cercarial dermatitis (swimmer's itch)
Micrograph depicting an egg from a Schistosoma haematobium trematode parasite; magnified 500x
Histopathology of schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobia (bladder)
Citations
World Health Organization. Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia). 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]
World Health Organization. WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis. Feb 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]
McManus DP, Dunne DW, Sacko M, et al. Schistosomiasis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018 Aug 9;4(1):13.[Abstract]
Mutapi F, Maizels R, Fenwick A, et al. Human schistosomiasis in the post mass drug administration era. Lancet Infect Dis. 2017 Feb;17(2):e42-8.[Abstract][Full Text]
Weerakoon KG, Gobert GN, Cai P, et al. Advances in the diagnosis of human schistosomiasis. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2015 Oct;28(4):939-67.[Abstract]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parasites - Schistosomiasis: resources for health professionals. Oct 2020 [internet publication].[Full Text]
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