This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Stone, C. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Schistosomiasis

Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 4813 Koelsch Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73117christopher-stone{at}ouhsc.edu

Schistosomiasis is a disease that is relatively rare in the United States but has become an endemic in more than 74 countries. This disease has infected some 200 million people worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The disease is caused by parasitic worms, or flukes, which reside in contaminated or poorly sanitized fresh water. The most common effects of the disease are urinary tract and abdominal/intestinal disorders. Sonography has become an invaluable tool in detecting the clinical presentation of schistosomiasis, although lab studies of fecal and urine contents are the required to confirm infection. Although there is no current vaccine available for schistosomiasis, advances in drugs such as praziquantel, oxamniquine, and metrifonate have led to highly effective treatment. These drugs have led to a substantial reduction in morbidity in many areas. Mortality rates have also declined, but when present, it is usually due to intestinal bleeding or bladder cancer.

Key Words: schistosomiasis • endemic • praziquantel • Katayama fever • hepatosplenomegaly

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?