Bilhazia Flashcards
What is Schistosomiasis
It can be defined as a parasitic infection caused by platyhelminths: Trematodes-Flukes
Epidemiology
Dr. T Bilharz was the first patient to describe fluke in an Egyptian cadaver in 1851
It affects 207 million people worldwide mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa
Ranked 2nd to malaria as a parasitic infection of public health importance
Reported among travelers to endemic areas
Endemic in most parts of South Africa:
Est very high in school-going children in parts of KZN, NW,Limpopo and Mpumalanga are affected
Name the species of Schistosoma with regards to region
There are 4 species, 3 of which are found in Africa:
S. mansoni
S. haematobium
S. matheei
S. japonicum-Far East-China
Causes:
It is caused by blood flukes that live in various vein locations:
S. haematobium- Vesical/pelvic renal plexuses
S. mansoni- Inferior mesenteric veins
S. japonicum- Superior mesenteric veins
Clinical Features of S. haematobium
Depends on the stage of infection:
- After skin penetrations:
- Dermatitis with/without anaphylactic symptoms - Egg deposition and extrusion:
- Terminal haematuria, dysuria and frequency - Tissue proliferation and repair:
-Tissue proliferation and repair i.e. fibrosis of vesical
mucosa, pseudo-abscesses form, 20 bacterial
infection. Obstructive hyperplasia of ureters and
urethra. Bladder Carcinoma, Typhoid carriage
Laboratory diagnosis of S.haematobium
Specimens and tests:
Urine: Microscopy of concentrated/filtered urine: ova
with terminal spike and antigen detection tests
Blood: serology antibody detection tests
Blood FBC-Eosinophilia
Diagnosos and Treatment
Gold standard is demonstration of eggs in
urine
Praziquantel mainstay of treatment
Prevention and Control
Break transmission cycle:
- Avoid infected water
- Improve water supply and sanitation
- Snail breeding sites treatment- molluscicides
Mass screening
Deworming programmes
Education-Seek treatment early
