Schistosomiasis: Life Cycle, Diagnosis, and Control

Publication date: Available online 22 June 2019Source: Current Therapeutic ResearchAuthor(s): Martin L. NelwanAbstractHuman schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by blood-worms that infect multiple organs, including the liver, intestine, bladder, and urethra. The life cycle of these parasites involves two hosts: snails and mammals. Manifestations of schistosomiasis can be acute or chronic. Clinical manifestations of acute schistosomiasis can include fever and headache. Symptoms of chronic infections can include dysuria and hyperplasia. Infections can occur in several sites, including the bile ducts, intestine, and bladder. The different sites of infection and symptoms seen are related to which of the species is involved. Five species can infect humans. The three most common are S. haematobium, S. japonicum, and S. mansoni. Detection tools for people with schistosomiasis can include Kato-Katz and PCR. Praziquantel is at present the only effective treatment of this disease. In the future, vaccination or gene therapy may be used.
Source: Current Therapeutic Research - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research