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