SCHISTOSOMIASIS

an infection caused by blood fluke,

specifically
Schistosoma japonicum. An indivduial
may acquire
the infection from fresh water
contaminated with larval cercariae,
which
develop in snails. Infected yet untreated
individuals
could transmit the disease through
discharging
schistosome eggs in feces into bodies of
water.
Long term infections can result to severe development of lesions, which can
lead to blockage of blood flow. The infection can also cause portal hypertension,
which can make collateral circulation, hence, redirecting the eggs to other parts
of the body.

ALTERNATIVE NAMES

Bilharzia
Katayama fever
Swimmer's itch
Blood fluke

CAUSES
You get a schistosoma infection through contact with contaminated water. The
parasite in its infective stages is called a cercaria. It swims freely in open bodies of
water.
On contact with humans, the parasite burrows into the skin, matures into another
stage (schistosomula), and then migrates to the lungs and liver, where it matures into
the adult form.
The adult worm then migrates to its preferred body part, depending on its species.
These areas include the bladder, rectum, intestines, liver, portal venous system
(theveins that carry blood from the intestines to liver), spleen, and lungs.

SYMPTOMS
Symptoms vary with the species of worm and the phase of infection.
Heavy infestation (many parasites) may cause fever, chills, lymph node
enlargement, and liver and spleen enlargement.
Initial invasion of the skin may cause itching and a rash (swimmer's itch). In this
condition, the schistosome is destroyed within the skin.

Swimmer's itch

Intestinal symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea (which may be

bloody).
Urinary symptoms may include frequent urination, painful urination
(dysuria), and blood in the urine (hematuria).

EXAMS & TESTS

Antibody test to checks for signs of schistosome infection

Biopsy of tissue suspected of being infected

Complete blood count (CBC) to check for signs of anemia
Eosinophil count to measure the number of certain white blood cells
Stool examination to look for parasite eggs
Test for schistosome eggs in stool and urine
Urinalysis

TREATMENT
This infection is usually treated with the drug praziquantel. If the infection is severe or
involves the brain, corticosteroids may be given.

OUTLOOK (Prognosis)
Treatment before significant damage or severe complications occur usually produces
good results.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Bladder cancer
Chronic kidney failure
Chronic liver damage and an enlarged spleen
Colon (large intestine) inflammation with bloody diarrhea
Kidney and bladder obstruction
Pulmonary hypertension
Repeated blood infections can occur, because bacteria can enter the

bloodstream through an irritated colon

Right-sided heart failure
Seizures

PREVENTION
Avoid swimming or bathing in contaminated or potentially contaminated water
Avoid bodies of water of unknown safety
Snails are an intermediate host for the parasite. Getting rid of snails in bodies of
water used by humans would help prevent infection.

Children infected with Schistosomiasis

http://www.doh.gov.ph/content/schistosomiasis-control-program
http://www.metapathogen.com/schistosoma/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001321.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002298
http://www.treehugger.com/green-food/7-neglected-diseases-youve-never-heard-of.html