1 Summary

• Schistosomiasis or bilharziosis
• Infection with blood flukes (small worms)
• Infections with S. haematobium, S. mansoni are frequent
• Infections with S. japonicum and S. intercalatum are not soo frequent
• Transmission via skin contact with contaminated water (water with cercariae)
• Symptoms depend upon worm load (number of worms), anatomical location of parasites, duration of infection and individual susceptibility :

1. Short-lasting pruritus after transcutaneous infection
2. Katayama syndrome a few weeks after 1^st infection (beginning of egg production). Fever, cough, influenza-like symptoms, abdominal pain, eosinophilia, splenomegaly
3. Ectopic localisations with e.g. neurological lesions sometimes occur, usually after 1^st infection
4. Chronic lesions due to S. haematobium:

® haematuria, hydronephrosis, renal insufficiency, increased risk of bladder carcinoma, genital lesions

® right heart decompensation due to pulmonary hypertension secondary to lung fibrosis

5. Chronic lesions due to S. mansoni and S. japonicum:

® abdominal discomfort, bloody diarrhoea, hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension

® oesophageal varices, ascites, hepatosplenomegaly

• Treatment with praziquantel