infectious diseases
Schistosomiasis
Introduction
Schistosomiasis is infection with blood flukes of the genusSchistosoma, which are acquired transcutaneously by swimming or wading in contaminated freshwater. The organisms infect the vasculature of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary system. Acute symptoms are dermatitis, followed several weeks later by fever, chills, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, malaise, and myalgia. Chronic symptoms vary with species but include bloody diarrhea (eg, withS. mansoni,S. mekongi,S. intercalatum, andS. japonicum) or hematuria (eg, withS. haematobium). Diagnosis is by identifying eggs in stool, urine, or biopsy specimens. Serologic tests may be sensitive and specific but do not provide information about the worm burden or clinical status. Treatment is withpraziquantel. Flukes are parasitic flatworms that infect various parts of the body (eg, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, lungs, liver) depending on the species. See also theWorld Health Organization (WHO)andCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)information on schistosomiasis. 