Overview:
• Schistosomiasis is brought on by the parasitic flatworm (trematode) Schistosoma
mansoni. It may be found in South America, the Middle East, and Africa. Over 200
million individuals are thought to be affected by schistosomiasis, which is one of the
most common neglected tropical illnesses.
• Schistosoma mansoni has two hosts in its life cycle: people and snails. The adult
worms lay eggs that are expelled from the body through faeces or urine while they are
living in the blood vessels of the human host.
• When the eggs develop into larvae that infect freshwater snails, they can pollute
freshwater supplies. When people come into touch with polluted water, the larvae
transform into free-swimming cercariae, which can pierce the skin.
• The cercariae go to the liver after entering the human host before moving on to the
veins encircling the gut, where they develop into adult worms and complete the life
cycle.
• Abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, blood in the urine or stool, and anaemia are just a few
of the symptoms that can result from a schistosoma mansoni infection. Enlargement of
the liver and spleen as well as other problems like bladder cancer can result from
chronic infection.
• Praziquantel, a drug that kills mature worms, is frequently used as a treatment for
schistosomiasis.
Article: “A Very High Infection Intensity of Schistosoma mansoni in a Ugandan Lake
Victoria Fishing Community Is Required for Association with Highly Prevalent Organ
Related Morbidity”
Summary:
• This is a scientific study that appeared in the 2016 issue of PLOS Neglected Tropical
Diseases. The investigation was carried out in a Ugandan fishing village where
Schistosoma mansoni infection is quite common.
• The goal of the study was to look at the relationship between organ-related morbidity,
notably liver fibrosis and bladder wall thickening, and the severity of Schistosoma
mansoni infection.
• Ultrasound imaging was employed in the study to evaluate the liver and bladder
morbidity in its 455 subjects. To gauge the level of Schistosoma mansoni infection,
stool samples were also taken.
• The study's findings revealed that 92.3% of the subjects had Schistosoma mansoni
infection, with a mean infection intensity of 308 eggs per gramme of faeces. 17.8% of
people had liver fibrosis, compared to 34.7% who had thickened bladder walls.
• The study discovered that for a meaningful connection with liver fibrosis and bladder
wall thickening, a very high infection intensity of Schistosoma mansoni (above 400
eggs per gramme of faeces) was necessary.
• The authors of the study came to the conclusion that in this group, severe
Schistosoma mansoni infection is a significant risk factor for organ-related morbidity.
• Overall, the study emphasises the need of treating severe Schistosoma mansoni
infections to avoid organ-related morbidity in places with high endemicity. In order to
avoid long-term health effects, the findings also point to the necessity of
schistosomiasis early identification and treatment.
Will tourists be swimming in this lake?
• Tourists are advised against swimming in lakes where Schistosoma mansoni infection
is quite common. A waterborne illness called schistosomiasis can be acquired by
coming into contact with polluted freshwater sources, such as lakes, rivers, and
streams. If tourists swimming in these lakes come into touch with water polluted with
Schistosoma mansoni larvae, they might become sick.
• Tourists should be aware of the possibility of contracting schistosomiasis and take
care to avoid getting sick. Avoid swimming or wading in freshwater areas where
Schistosoma mansoni infection is known to be common, especially during times of
high transmission, as part of these measures.
• Additionally, employing insect repellent and donning protective clothes like long-
sleeved shirts and pants might help lower the danger of coming into contact with the
parasites.
• It's crucial for tourists to get medical help if they have schistosomiasis symptoms after
swimming in polluted water, including fever, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and blood
in the urine or stool. The disease's complications and long-term health effects can be
reduced with early identification and treatment.
Evidence based articles and links:
• "Schistosomiasis" by the World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/news-room/
fact-sheets/detail/schistosomiasis
• "Schistosomiasis: Life Cycle, Diagnosis, and Control": https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
pmc/articles/PMC6658823/
• “A Very High Infection Intensity of Schistosoma mansoni in a Ugandan Lake Victoria
Fishing Community Is Required for Association with Highly Prevalent Organ Related
Morbidity: https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0002268