Schistosome Infections: An Indian Perspective

Surgical outcomes of distal splenorenal shunt or liver transplantation in treatment of schistosomal refractory variceal bleeding

“…On an average 85% of these cases are indigenous to the African continent [12] . Furthermore, the disease is considered a risk for 650 million people living in endemic rural areas of tropical countries and associated with poor socioeconomic status [12,15] . The movement of people from endemic zones with unplanned dam establishment and irrigation projects led to newer endemic foci appearance.…”

“…The disease is believed to affect approximately 200 million individuals in many countries and kills more than 100,000 people per year, with most cases occurring in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Americas [ Figure 2]. On an average 85% of these cases are indigenous to the African continent [12] . Furthermore, the disease is considered a risk for 650 million people living in endemic rural areas of tropical countries and associated with poor socioeconomic status [12,15] .…”

“…Sometimes called Bilharziasis or snail fever referred to Theodor Bilharz, a German surgeon working at Cairo Medical School who discovered the fluke in 1851 within the mesenteric veins of an Egyptian boy at autopsy [ Figure 1]. Then described terminal spine mature ova and lateral spine immature ova, produced by the female worms [11,12] . Furthermore, McDonagh [13] has introduced antimony as an anti-bilharzial agent [14] .…”

“…The movement of people from endemic zones with unplanned dam establishment and irrigation projects led to newer endemic foci appearance. Thus, there is a need for an effective schistosomal control program including of health and hygiene education, reduction of water contamination through sanitary and safe water supply facilities, snail control measures and mass chemotherapy to eliminate the threat from several endemic countries [12] . In the endemic areas, children, women, fishermen, and farmers in irrigation channels are often infected with schistosomes and the pathogenic changes in schistosomiasis depend on interplay between host and parasite factors [12,16] .…”

Schistosomiasis

“…Adult worms of Schistosoma hematobium will lay their eggs in the venous plexus of bladder, renal, and ureter, resulting in lessions in those area. 7 The development from eggs to adult worms requires around 40 days. In one day, adult female worms can produce hundreds or thousands of eggs.…”