Colonic schistosomiasis mimicking cancer, polyp, and inflammatory bowel disease: Five case reports and review of literature

Abstract

BACKGROUND Schistosomiasis, officially named as a neglected tropical disease by The World Health Organization, is a serious parasitic disease caused by trematode flukes of the genus Schistosoma . It is a common infectious disease, endemic in more than 78 countries. The disease can involve various organs and poses far-reaching public health challenges. CASE SUMMARY Here, we present a series of five patients with variable presentations: an asymptomatic patient who was diagnosed with colonic schistosomiasis upon screening colonoscopy; 2 patients with clinical suspicion of colonic cancer; and 2 patients with a clinical diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. All patients were subsequently confirmed to have colonic schistosomiasis after colonoscopy and histopathologic examination. The clinical manifestations, colonoscopy features and histologic findings of the patients are described. Most of the patients showed significant clinical improvement following administration of oral praziquantel. CONCLUSION Intestinal schistosomiasis can present with features mimicking other gastrointestinal conditions. This disease should be a diagnostic consideration in patients who live in or have traveled to endemic areas.