Influence of the host related factors in the development of the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis mansoni

Abstract

The frequency of hepatosplenomegaly in endemic areas is not proportional to the fecal ova count. This may be explained by epidemiological genetic. The occurrence of two or more cases of schistosomal hepatosplenomegaly in nuclear family is much higher than expected. The concentration is higher among siblings than it is among mothers and children of father and children. It is not significant between father and mother. If the mother, instead of the father, has hepatosplenic schistosomiasis the relative risk for the child to acquire hepatosplenomegaly is at least five times (the maternal affect). The inbreeding is higher in the hepatosplenic than in the hepato-intestinal patients. In some areas in Brazil the hepatosplenic form of the schistosomiasis mansoni occurs with much higher frequency in whites than in blacks. After treatment, reversion of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis occurs more frequently in non-whites. It seems that the resistance of blacks to the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis may be related to the glyoxalase system, perhaps associated to another genetic marker. The hepatosplenic schistosomiasis is less frequent in longilineal individuals. In some areas the hepatosplenic form of schistosomiasis is more frequent in A blood group of ABO system. The family heredograms do not suggest a single mendelian inheritance, but probably a multifactorial and possibly polygenic one.

Revisiting the concept of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and its challenges using traditional and new tools

“…In endemic areas, schistosomotics are frequently heavy drinkers. Is there really a place in the world for pure schistosomiasis 74,75,[76][77][78][79][80][81][82] ?…”

Thrombocytopenia as a surrogate marker of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis in endemic areas for Schistosomiasis mansoni

“…Particular attention was given to the abdominal examination; specifi cally, the right hepatic lobe was examined along the anterior axillary line, and the left hepatic lobe was examined along a line passing through the xiphoid process. The spleen was palpated and measured under the left costal margin with the patient in the dorsal decubitus position during deep inspiration [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] .…”

Pleiotropic Effects of Immune Responses Explain Variation in the Prevalence of Fibroproliferative Diseases

“…While most genetic studies of susceptibility to helminth infection have focused on infection intensity, variation in pathology has also been reported, even in the absence of differences in infection intensity. Differences in severity of schistosomal pathology between people of African and European ancestry have been observed in Brazil, with individuals of European ancestry showing increased susceptibility to severe, inflammation-induced pathology [ 99 , 100 ]. A 5-fold increased risk of hepatosplenic disease was observed, despite similar egg counts [ 101 ].…”