Genital Schistosomiasis in European Women

Abstract

Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is an isolated chronic form of schistosomiasis. Although most infections occur in residents of endemic areas, it has been clearly documented that brief freshwater exposure is sufficient to establish infection; thus, travellers may also be infected. The clinical manifestations of FGS are nonspecific, and lesions may mimic any neoplastic or infectious process in the female genital tract. It is important to take a careful history and physical examination, making sure to consider travel history in endemic areas. The diagnosis is confirmed by microscopy with egg identification or by serology. The standard of care for treatment is a single dose of oral praziquantel which avoids complications and substantial morbidity. Herein, we report a rare and original case of FGS in a European woman.

Grossesses extra utérines successives et bilharziose tubaire chez une touriste française

“…On retrouve quelques cas de bilharziose tubaire: l'une chez une britannique et l'autre chez une française, découverts sur pièce opératoire de salpingectomie pour douleurs pelviennes [ 5 , 6 ]. Deux cas de bilharziose vulvaire ont été décrits dont l'une chez une britannique également après s’être baignée au lac Malawi [ 7 , 8 ]. Il n'est rapporté que deux cas de GEU sur bilharziose tubaire chez un voyageur: il s'agit d'une Australienne de 34 ans, qui avait voyagé une dizaine d'années plus tôt au Lac Victoria et Malawi et une Anglaise de 37 ans suspecté en per coelioscopie pour suspicion de GEU [ 9 , 10 ].…”

Bilateral Tubal Gestation Associated with Schistosomiasis in an African Woman

“…The infestation is preventable and 85% of cases are found in sub-Saharan Africa [ 10 ] ( Figure 1 ) with Nigeria being one of the 74 countries endemic for schistosomiasis. It is common in these tropical regions because of the poor living conditions with reliance on streams and other water bodies for their daily chores and other activities like farming and fishing [ 11 – 13 ]. Although the case presented occurred in an endemic area, female genital schistosomiasis may occur as well in returning travellers with history of contact with fresh water bodies in endemic countries [ 11 , 13 ].…”

“…The water snails are infected by the miracidia which develop from the ova excreted from infected humans. Infected snails reinfect humans to continue the cycles [ 11 , 13 ].…”

“…Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) is the presence of sandy patches and/or ova of parasites in genital tissue [ 14 ]. The diagnosis is made if there is a chronic form of genital schistosomiasis with no other symptoms [ 11 ]. S. haematobium is the commonest cause of FGS occurring in 50–80% of parasitized females [ 15 ].…”

Schistosoma haematobium infections acquired in Corsica, France, August 2013

“…Besides Corsica, schistosomiasis might be reintroduced to other endemic or formerly endemic areas for Bulinus snails, including southern Portugal, Sardinia, Sicily, Cyprus and Greece [11,[13][14][15][16]. Since schistosomiasis is a chronic disease that may start with mild non-specific pruriginous cutaneous, urinary or genital tract symptoms [2,17,18], people who experience such symptoms and were exposed to surface fresh water in southern Corsica during past summers should be investigated [4].…”