By ULY CLINIC

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Schistosomiasis

 

Introduction

 

Schistosomiasis ia a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematodes) of the genus Schistosoma. Common species found in Tanzania are S. haematobium responsible for urogenital schistosomisis and S. mansoni responsible for intestinal schistosomiasis as a result of immune mediated reaction which leads to progressive inflammation and fibrosis of the urinary bladder or portal venous system respectively.  

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Diagnostic Criteria

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Schistosoma mansoni: 

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• Swimmer’s itch or katayama fevers in acute infection phase.

• Colicky abdominal pains 

• Diarrhoea and dysentery

• Anemia 

• Hepatomegally

• Portal hypertension with bleeding esophageal varices or 

• Decompensated liver disease

 

Schistosoma hematobium:

 

• Dysuria and terminal hematuria

• Hematospermia 

• Obstructive uropathy (hydronephrosis, hydroureters)

• Glomerulonephritis and amylodosis

• Bladder carcinoma

• Chronic kidney failure PLUS

• Laboratory evidence characteristic eggs in urine, (S. Hematobium) or in stool (S .manson, S.japonicum) examined by kato katz thick smear procedure or PCR assays of both  urine and stool samples.5 

 

Pharmacological Treatment

 

• Praziquantel (PO) 40mg/kg as a single dose or in 2 divided doses

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Updated on, 2.11.2020

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References

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1. STG