infectious diseases
Schistosomiasis
Symptoms and Signs of Schistosomiasis
Most infections are asymptomatic. A pruritic papular rash ( Dermatitis Caused by Avian and Animal Schistosomes ) can develop where cercariae penetrate the skin. Katayama fever is a systemic hypersensitivity reaction that may occur with onset of egg laying, typically 2 to 4 weeks after heavy exposure. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, nausea, abdominal pain, malaise, myalgia, urticarial rashes, and marked eosinophilia, resembling serum sickness. Manifestations are more common and usually more severe in visitors than in residents of endemic areas and typically last for several weeks. Chronic infection is most commonly due to repeated exposure in endemic areas but can also occur after brief exposure such as occurs in travelers. Chronic schistosomiasis results primarily from granulomatous host responses to eggs retained in tissues. Intestinal schistosomiasis:Early on, intestinal mucosal ulcerations caused byS. mansoni,S. japonicum,S. mekongi, orS. intercalatummay bleed and result in bloody diarrhea. As lesions progress, focal fibrosis, strictures, fistulas, and papillomatous growths may develop in the intestine. in the liver usually do not compromise liver function, but they may cause Hepatic Fibrosis and may produce granulomas and focal obliterative arteritis, which may ultimately result in Pulmonary Hypertension and produces ulcerations in the bladder wall that may cause dysuria, hematuria, and urinary frequency. Over time, chronic cystitis develops. Strictures may lead to hydroureter and hydronephrosis. Papillomatous masses in the bladder are common, and squamous cell Bladder Cancer may develop. in young girls and women can involve the vulva, vagina, and cervix as well as the fallopian tubes. Genital schistosomiasis can result in vaginal bleeding during sex and gynecologic examinations, pain during sex, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, abortion, and increased risk of acquiring HIV infection ( Symptoms and signs reference ). Male genital involvement of the epididymis, testicles, spermatic cord, or prostate can result in pelvic, coital, or ejaculatory pain, hematospermia, abnormal swelling of genital organs, and infertility. Blood loss from both gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts frequently results in Iron Deficiency Anemia . infections. Eggs or adult worms lodged in the spinal cord can cause Acute Transverse Myelitis , and those in the brain can produce focal lesions and seizures. 1.Orish VN, Morhe EKS, Azanu W, et al: The parasitology of female genital schistosomiasis.Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis2:100093, 2022. Published 2022 May 27. doi:10.1016/j.crpvbd.2022.100093 