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Journal of Advanced Research Sep 2013The clinical manifestations of schistosomiasis pass by acute, sub acute and chronic stages that mirror the immune response to infection. The later includes in succession... (Review)
Review
The clinical manifestations of schistosomiasis pass by acute, sub acute and chronic stages that mirror the immune response to infection. The later includes in succession innate, TH1 and TH2 adaptive stages, with an ultimate establishment of concomitant immunity. Some patients may also develop late complications, or suffer the sequelae of co-infection with other parasites, bacteria or viruses. Acute manifestations are species-independent; occur during the early stages of invasion and migration, where infection-naivety and the host's racial and genetic setting play a major role. Sub acute manifestations occur after maturity of the parasite and settlement in target organs. They are related to the formation of granulomata around eggs or dead worms, primarily in the lower urinary tract with Schistosoma haematobium, and the colon and rectum with Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma mekongi infection. Secondary manifestations during this stage may occur in the kidneys, liver, lungs or other ectopic sites. Chronic morbidity is attributed to the healing of granulomata by fibrosis and calcification at the sites of oval entrapment, deposition of schistosomal antigen-antibody complexes in the renal glomeruli or the development of secondary amyloidosis. Malignancy may complicate the chronic lesions in the urinary bladder or colon. Co-infection with salmonella or hepatitis viruses B or C may confound the clinical picture of schistosomiasis, while the latter may have a negative impact on the course of other co-infections as malaria, leishmaniasis and HIV. Prevention of schistosomiasis is basically geared around education and periodic mass treatment, an effective vaccine being still experimental. Praziquantel is the drug of choice in the treatment of active infection by any species, with a cure rate of 80%. Other antischistosomal drugs include metrifonate for S. haematobium, oxamniquine for S. mansoni and Artemether and, possibly, Mirazid for both. Surgical treatment may be needed for fibrotic lesions.
PubMed: 25685450
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2013.01.005 -
The Lancet. Infectious Diseases Mar 2024The Grand Round concerns a 24-year-old man from Zimbabwe who was studying and living in Poland. The patient had been complaining of abdominal pain, fatigue, alternating... (Review)
Review
The Grand Round concerns a 24-year-old man from Zimbabwe who was studying and living in Poland. The patient had been complaining of abdominal pain, fatigue, alternating diarrhoea and constipation, and presence of blood in his stool for 3 years. The patient had the following diagnostic tests: colonoscopy, CT scan, histopathology, and parasitological and molecular tests. Results of the examinations showed that the cause of the patient's complaints was chronic intestinal schistosomiasis due to the co-infection with Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma mansoni. The patient had two cycles of praziquantel therapy (Biltricide) and responded well to the treatment. In the Grand Round, we describe full diagnostics as well as clinical and therapeutic management in the patient with S intercalatum and S mansoni co-infection. This case allows us to draw attention to cases of forgotten chronic tropical diseases (including rare ones) in patients from regions with a high endemic index staying in non-endemic regions of the world for a long time. Co-infection with S intercalatum and S mansoni should be considered as a very rare clinical case.
Topics: Male; Animals; Humans; Young Adult; Adult; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis mansoni; Schistosomiasis; Coinfection; Praziquantel
PubMed: 37783223
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(23)00486-3 -
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz 2001Schistosoma intercalatum, which causes human rectal schistosomiasis in Africa, still presents a great interest for its imprecise taxonomic status and its puzzling...
Schistosoma intercalatum, which causes human rectal schistosomiasis in Africa, still presents a great interest for its imprecise taxonomic status and its puzzling distribution in Africa. Two geographically isolated strains of S. intercalatum are recognized, the Lower Guinea strain and the Congo strain, which differ from each other in a number of morphological, biological and biochemical characteristics. Recent molecular data using RAPD markers indicate high divergence between the two strains, with values of Nei and Li's similarity index allowing recognition of two genetically distinct taxa: experiments on pre- and post-isolating mechanisms are in progress in order to re-evaluate the taxonomic status of this polytypic species. With regard to its geographical distribution, S. intercalatum is characterized by the existence of two stable endemic areas (localized in Lower Guinea and North East of Democratic Republic of Congo) which correspond to the historical areas of species discovery, and the emergence during the last 15 years of new foci of the Lower Guinea strain outside previously known endemic areas. The absence of local adaptation of the Lower Guinea strain to its intermediate host, supported by experimental studies, may help to facilitate the spread of this strain. Nevertheless, the present restricted distribution of this species remains puzzling, because its potential snail hosts (bulinids) are widely distributed throughout much of Africa. Recent experimental and epidemiological studies suggest that interspecific sexual interactions between human schistosomes could have a role in limiting the distribution of S. intercalatum: the competitive sexual processes acting among human schistosomes show that S. haematobium and S. mansoni are always competitively dominant over S. intercalatum. These epidemiological observations lead the authors to distinguish three kinds of transmission foci for S. intercalatum.
Topics: Africa; Animals; Endemic Diseases; Female; Humans; Male; Population Density; Rectal Diseases; Reproduction; Schistosoma; Schistosoma haematobium; Schistosoma mansoni; Schistosomiasis
PubMed: 11586425
DOI: 10.1590/s0074-02762001000900006 -
Disease Markers 2020Schistosomiasis is considered a neglected parasitic disease. Around 280,000 people die from it annually, and more than 779 million people are at risk of getting...
Schistosomiasis is considered a neglected parasitic disease. Around 280,000 people die from it annually, and more than 779 million people are at risk of getting infected. The schistosome species which infect human beings are , , , , , and . This disease is also of veterinary significance; the most important species being since it causes the disease in around 160 million livestock in Africa and Asia. This work was aimed at designing and developing a genus-specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method for detecting the most important schistosome species affecting humans and for the species-specific detection of . Bioinformatics tools were used for primer design, and the LAMP method was standardised for detecting the ITS-1 region from , , , , and DNA (generic test) and the NADH 1 gene for specifically detecting (at different DNA concentrations). Detection limits achieved were 1 pg DNA for , 0.1 pg for , 1 pg for , and 10 pg for . No amplification for DNA was obtained. The LAMP designed for the amplification of NADH-1 worked specifically for this species, and no other DNA from other schistosome species included in the study was amplified. Two highly sensitive LAMP methods for detecting different species important for human and veterinary health were standardised. These methods could be very useful for the diagnosis and surveillance of schistosome infections.
Topics: Animals; Computational Biology; DNA, Protozoan; Early Diagnosis; Humans; Limit of Detection; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques; Schistosoma; Schistosomiasis; Species Specificity
PubMed: 32774514
DOI: 10.1155/2020/8042705 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2020Significantly increased imported schistosomiasis cases have been reported in China as the economy grows. The aim of this study is to review and summarize the current...
Significantly increased imported schistosomiasis cases have been reported in China as the economy grows. The aim of this study is to review and summarize the current status, clinical features, and transmission risk of imported infections of and in China. A retrospective study was performed to review all information regarding the imported cases of schistosomiasis collected from published literature and the database of the National Notifiable Disease Report System from 1979 to 2019. The characterization of epidemiological and clinical features was analyzed. A total of 355 cases of imported schistosomiasis have been reported in 15 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) in China since 1979, including 78 cases of infection with (21.97%), 262 cases with (73.80%), and 15 cases with unidentified species. Eosinophilia was the most common sign of the infection with (91.03%). The parasitological findings were confirmed in 89.74% (70/78) of cases infected with and 32.06% (84/262) of cases infected with . There was no imported case of infection of , or reported in China during this period. Praziquantel is the best therapeutic drug for curing imported schistosomiasis. In addition, , the intermediate host of , has already been found in Guangdong province in south China. There is a rising risk that the existence of the intermediate host and the imported cases of infection could cause the spread of the infections and make these endemic. Thus, better understanding of the clinical features and the transmission pattern of these infections would assist Chinese physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of these imported schistosomiasis cases.
PubMed: 33195303
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.553487 -
Iranian Journal of Parasitology 2012A parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium and S. intercalatum infection among primary schoolchildren in capital area of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and...
Prevalence of Schistosoma intercalatum and S. haematobium Infection among Primary Schoolchildren in Capital Areas of Democratic Republic Of São Tomé and Príncipe, West Africa.
BACKGROUND
A parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium and S. intercalatum infection among primary schoolchildren in capital area of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (DRSTP) was undertaken.
METHODS
Subjects with positive infection were confirmed by the detection of S. haematobium ova in the urine or S. intercalatum ova in the stool by using centrifugation concentration or merthiolate-iodine-formalin concentration method. Totally, 252 urine and stool samples, respectively, were obtained from apparently healthy schoolchildren, of which 121 from boys (9.8 ± 1.4 yr) and 131 from girls (9.7 ± 1.3 yr).
RESULTS
None of participating schoolchildren were found having S. haematobium ova in the urinary specimen. While, among 4 primary schools studied, only schoolchildren from Saint Marçal were detected with S. intercalatum ova in the fecal specimen, making the overall prevalence of S. intercalatum infection among schoolchildren was 2.4% (6/252) and girls had insignificantly higher prevalence (3.1%, 4/131) than that (1.7%, 2/121) in boys (χ(2) = 0.5, P = 0.5).
CONCLUSION
Water control and sanitation as well as snails eliminated by molluscicides are urgently needed to reduce S. intercalatum infection in DRSTP inhabitants.
PubMed: 23133474
DOI: No ID Found -
Tropical Medicine and Health Apr 2024Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, caused by blood flukes belonging to the genus Schistosoma; it persists as a public health problem in selected regions... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, caused by blood flukes belonging to the genus Schistosoma; it persists as a public health problem in selected regions throughout Africa, South America, and Asia. Schistosoma mekongi, a zoonotic schistosome species endemic to the Mekong River in Laos and Cambodia, is one of the significant causes of human schistosomiasis along with S. japonicum, S. mansoni, S. haematobium and S. intercalatum. Since its discovery, S. mekongi infection has been highly prevalent in communities along the Mekong River. Although surveillance and control measures have shown success in recent years, more robust diagnostic tools are still needed to establish more efficient control and prevention strategies to achieve and sustain an elimination status. Diagnosis of S. mekongi infection still relies on copro-parasitological techniques, commonly made by Kato-Katz stool examination. Serological techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) may also be applicable but in a limited setting. Targeted molecular and serological tools specific to the species, on the other hand, have been limited. This is due, in part, to the limited research and studies on the molecular biology of S. mekongi since genome information of this species has not yet been released. In this review, current advances, and gaps and limitations in the molecular and immunological diagnosis of S. mekongi are discussed.
PubMed: 38650044
DOI: 10.1186/s41182-024-00598-0 -
Parasites & Vectors Nov 2015Schistosomiasis is a poverty-related parasitic infection, leading to chronic ill-health. For more than a century, schistosomiasis has been known to be endemic in certain... (Review)
Review
Schistosomiasis is a poverty-related parasitic infection, leading to chronic ill-health. For more than a century, schistosomiasis has been known to be endemic in certain provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, a clear overview on the status of the disease within the country is currently lacking, which is seriously hampering control. Here, we review the available information on schistosomiasis in DRC of the past 60 years. Findings and data gaps are discussed in the perspective of upcoming control activities.An electronic literature search via PubMed complemented by manual search of non-peer-reviewed articles was conducted up to January 2015. The search concerned all relevant records related to schistosomiasis in the DRC from January 1955 onwards. A total of 155 records were found, of which 30 met the inclusion criteria. Results were summarized by geographical region, mapped, and compared with those reported sixty years ago. The available data reported schistosomiasis in some areas located in 10 of the 11 provinces of DRC. Three species of Schistosoma were found: S. mansoni, S. haematobium and S. intercalatum. The prevalence of schistosomiasis varied greatly between regions and between villages, with high values of up to 95 % observed in some communities. The overall trend over 60 years points to the spread of schistosomiasis to formerly non-endemic areas. The prevalence of schistosomiasis has increased in rural endemic areas and decreased in urban/peri-urban endemic areas of Kinshasa. Hepatosplenomegaly, urinary tract lesions and anaemia were commonly reported in schistosomiasis endemic areas but not always associated with infection status.The present review confirms that schistosomiasis is still endemic in DRC. However, available data are scattered across time and space and studies lack methodological uniformity, hampering a reliable estimation of the current status of schistosomiasis in DRC. There is a clear need for updated prevalence data and well-designed studies on the epidemiology and transmission of schistosomiasis in DRC. This will aid the national control program to adequately design and implement strategies for sustainable and comprehensive control of schistosomiasis throughout the country.
Topics: Animals; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Endemic Diseases; Prevalence; Schistosoma; Schistosomiasis; Topography, Medical
PubMed: 26586232
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-1206-6 -
Tropical Parasitology Jan 2014Schistosoma haematobium infection afflicts about 150 million people in 53 countries in Africa and the Middle East. In many endemic areas, S. haematobium is sympatric...
Differentiating Schistosoma haematobium from Schistosoma magrebowiei and other closely related schistosomes by polymerase chain reaction amplification of a species specific mitochondrial gene.
INTRODUCTION
Schistosoma haematobium infection afflicts about 150 million people in 53 countries in Africa and the Middle East. In many endemic areas, S. haematobium is sympatric with Schistosoma bovis, Schistosoma mattheei, Schistosoma curassoni, Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma magrebowiei, its closely related species. In addition, they also develop in the same intermediate snail hosts. Since these schistosome species often infect snails inhabiting the same bodies of water, examining cercariae or infected snails for estimating transmission of S. haematobium is always confounded by the need to differentially identify S. haematobium from these other species. Recently, differentiating S. haematobium by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from S. bovis, S. mattheei, S. curassoni and S. intercalatum, but not from S. magrebowiei was reported. However, to be able to evaluate residual S. haematobium transmission after control interventions in areas where S. haematobium may be sympatric with S. magrebowiei, a differential tool for accurate monitoring of infected snails is needed.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thus in this study, we developed a new PCR assay using a pair of primers, ShND-1/ShND-2, to amplify a target sequence of 1117 bp (GenBank accession number KF834975) from S. haematobium mitochondrion complete genome (GenBank accession number DQ157222). Sensitivity of the assay was determined by PCR amplification of different concentrations of S. haematobium gDNA serially diluted from 10ng to 0.1pg. For assay specificity, different concentrations of gDNA from S. haematobium and the other schistosome species, 20 positive urine samples and five controls as well as 20 infected snails were subjected to PCR amplification, while some of the PCR products were sequenced.
RESULTS
The assay detected up to 1pg of S. haematobium gDNA, while a differential identification of S. haematobium DNA content from other closely related species was achieved when applied to urine and naturally infected snails. When a protein-protein blast search was carried out using Blastp, the amplified sequence was found to encode a protein that shows a 100% similarity with S. haematobium nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit 3 (GenBank accession number YP_626524.1).
CONCLUSION
The PCR assay was sensitive, specific and was able to successfully differentiate S. haematobium from S. magrebowiei, in addition to its other closely related animal infective schistosome species.
PubMed: 24754026
DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.129163 -
Access Microbiology 2020Schistosomiasis, globally, is significant public as well as veterinary health problem as it is associated with a wide range of clinical conditions in humans and animals....
BACKGROUND
Schistosomiasis, globally, is significant public as well as veterinary health problem as it is associated with a wide range of clinical conditions in humans and animals. Schistosomiasis is mostly caused by the following species of genus : , and might be considered as the most pathogenic among these species as the clinical disease caused by this parasite ranges from mild diarrhea, nausea, Katayama fever, portal hypertension, splenomegaly and ascites to liver cirrhosis and fibrosis. has been commonly encountered in China, the Philippines and Indonesia. According to WHO, at least 220.8 million people required preventive treatment for schistosomiasis in 2017 but only 102.3 million people were reported to have been treated. To our knowledge, there are no cases reported from Nepal. Hence, this is the first reported case of in Nepal.
CASE PRESENTATION
A case of acute schistosomiasis due to was identified in CIWEC Hospital and Travel Medicine Center, Kathmandu, Nepal. The patient arrived with gastrointestinal symptoms without any pre-existing chronic illness with no evidence of travel outside of Spain since last August, but had travelled to many other countries 2 years ago. Timely diagnosis by stool routine and microscopic examination and formal-ether concentration technique led to successful treatment of the disease.
CONCLUSION
As the parasite has not been reported to date in Nepal, many people are unaware of its mode of infection and pathogenesis. Many laboratory workers are heedless with the egg of the parasite due to which this parasite might be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed. This case report might help laboratory workers to be sentient about the parasite and further diagnosis in future.
PubMed: 32974583
DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000117