Pulmonary manifestations in the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni

Abstract

The clinical and radiological pulmonary manifestations in the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni were studied in thirty previously healthy individuals who were simultaneously infected. The findings were compared with those concerning a control group and related to possible pathogenetic factors. The respiratory manifestations were of light or of moderate intensity, the dry cough being the most common symptom. The significant radiological alterations were: thickening of bronchial walls and beaded micronodulation, predominantly localized in the lower pulmonary fields. It was observed significant association between wheezing and IgE levels, estimated by the area of immediate intradermal reaction, as well as between the number of blood eosinophils and the occurrence of radiological changes. Moreover, there was correlation between the worm burden and the presence of wheezing, thoracic pain and beaded micronodulation. Thus, the clinical and radiological pulmonary manifestations described are significant part of the initial phase of schistosomiasis mansoni and present the worm burden, eosinophilia and levels of IgE as probable pathogenetic factors.

Schistosomiasis in the People's Republic of China: the Era of the Three Gorges Dam

“…Disease onset is usually sudden, producing many nonspecific symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, myalgia, malaise, urticaria, nonproductive cough, eosinophilia, and patchy pulmonary infiltrates on chest radiographs ( Fig. 3B) (52,161,164). Examples of pronounced radiological alterations include thickening of bronchial walls and beaded micronodulation in the lower pulmonary fields (161,164).…”

“…3B) (52,161,164). Examples of pronounced radiological alterations include thickening of bronchial walls and beaded micronodulation in the lower pulmonary fields (161,164). Abdominal symptoms may develop within a few weeks because of migration of juvenile worms and egg deposition of the mature worms (164,165).…”

Acute schistosomiasis mansoni: revisited and reconsidered

“…In one case, a skin biopsy unveiled the diagnosis of a patient who presented with acute schistosomiasis and neurological symptoms, which preceded the dermatitis (Wood et al 1976). Approximately 40% of the skin le- Liver biopsy: huge necrotic-exudative granulomas in portal tracts around S. mansoni ova Immunology: Th1 cytokines during the first migration phase followed by Th2 cytokines after egg-laying Serology: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using keyhole limpet haemocyanin antigen, soluble egg antigen or worm antigen sions occurred in the acute phase (Faust 1948, Findlay & Whiting 1971, Bittencourt et al 1979, Guimarães & Souza 1987, Miligan & Burns 1988, Rocha et al 1995b, Andrade Filho et al 1998. Faust (1948) reported several cases of extragenital skin lesions caused by Schistosoma japonicum in soldiers who had fought in Asia in World War II.…”

Role of reactive nitrogen species in neuronal cell damage during intestinal schistosomiasis

“…Most S. mansonirelated research has been focused on liver pathology. However, 85% of infected individuals also suffer from motility-related gastrointestinal symptoms (Rocha et al 1995).…”