Acute schistosomiasis in travelers: 14 years' experience at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013 Jun;88(6):1032-4. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0646. Epub 2013 Mar 25.

Abstract

We report 79 cases of acute schistosomiasis. Most of these cases were young, male travelers who acquired their infection in Lake Malawi. Twelve had a normal eosinophil count at presentation and 11 had negative serology, although two had neither eosinophilia nor positive serology when first seen. Acute schistosomiasis should be considered in any febrile traveler with a history of fresh water exposure in an endemic area once malaria has been excluded.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Africa, Southern / epidemiology
  • Cough / etiology
  • Cough / parasitology
  • Endemic Diseases*
  • Female
  • Fever / etiology
  • Fever / parasitology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • London
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Schistosomiasis / complications
  • Schistosomiasis / diagnosis*
  • Schistosomiasis / drug therapy
  • Schistosomiasis / epidemiology*
  • Swimming
  • Travel*
  • Water / parasitology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Water
  • Praziquantel