Trematodes

Trematodes are a class within the subphylum Platyhelminthes. It includes a group

of parasitic flatworm, known as flukes. They are internal parasitic of mollusces
(like –snails) and vertebrates. Most Trematodes have a complex life cycle with at
least two hosts. The primary host, where the flukes sexually reproduce, is a
vertebrate. The intermediate host, in which a sexual reproduction occurs, is
usually a snail. It includes 18000-24000 species.

Trematodes are flattened oval or worm-like animals, usually no more a few

centimeters in length, other are small 1 mm, has two suckers, one close to mouth
and other on the underside of the animal.

Schistosomaiasis:
Also Known as Bilharzia or snail fever or blood fluke.

Schistosoma is a genus of Trematodes; they are parasitic flat worm responsible

for a highly significant group of infection.Itis infected the urinary tract or the
intestine tractdepend upon the species. There are three main species infecting
humans are Schistosoma haematobium, S.japanicum, and S.mansoni.The other
species, more localized geographically.

Adult flatworms parasitize blood capillaries of either

the mesenteries or plexus of the bladder, depending on the infecting
species. They are unique among Trematodes and any other flatworms in
that they are dioecious with distinct sexual
dimorphism between male and female. Thousands of eggs are released
and reach either the bladder or the intestine (according to the infecting
species), and these are then excreted in urine or feces to fresh
water. Larvae must then pass through an intermediate snail host, before
the next larval stage of the parasite emerges that can infect a new
mammalian host by directly penetrating the skin.

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Eggs of Schistosoma species.

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Life cycle of Schistosoma species

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In Iraq Schistosoma haematobium the use of special technique in the
examination of urine sample (filtration by schisto_kit) as direct method
and immunoblot as indirect methods.

Serological testes: detection of anti_ Schistosoma antibody or antigen

inpatient's serum.
1. IHAT (indirect hemagglutination test)
2. ELISA
3. IFAT ( indirect fluorescent antibody test)