Schistosomiasis - definition/organisms
Water-borne parasitic infection with an intermediate host of freshwater snails. Two primary syndromes including intestinal (S.mansoni, S. japonicum) and urogenital (S.haematobium)
Schistosomiasis - geographical distribution
Mansoni - Sub-Saharan Africa and Brazil
Japonicum - China, Philippines, Indonesia
Haematobium - Sub Saharan Africa
Intestinal schistosomiasis clinical features
Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, blood in stool
Chronic inflammation can lead to intestinal strictures and obstruction, as well as liver fibrosis and portal hypertension
Urogenital schistosomiasis clinical features
Haematuria, dysuria. Chronic inflammation leading to contractures, hydronephrosis and squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder
Male/female genital schistosomiasis can cause STI symptoms like vaginal/bloody discharge and itch, pain during sex, infertility, increased risk of HIV
Acute (Katayama fever)
4-6 weeks later fever, urticaria, cough, abdominal pain
Schistosomiasis non-specific clinical features
Anaemia, growth faltering, reduced educational performance, cecariae dermatitis
Ectopic presentations of schistosomiasis
Transverse myelitis, pulmonary HTN and cerebral schistosomiasis
Schistosomiasis diagnostics - parasitological methods
Intestinal schistosomiasis - diagnostics
Urogenital schistosomiasis - diagnostics
Schistosomiasis - returning traveller approach to diagnostics
Schistosomiasis - returning from an endemic area - approach to diagnostics
Schistosomiasis treatment
Praziquantel
Needs repeat as not effective against non-adult forms
Praziquantel in schistosomiasis - pros and cons
Pros:
- Safe
- Effective against all species
Cons:
- Only effective against adults
- Global shortage
- Requires second dose a month later
- Taste is horrible
Prevention measures in schistosomiasis
Onchocerciasis - organism
Onchocerca volvulus parasite
Onchocerciasis - transmission
Transmitted by blackflies (Simulium damnosum and Simulium ochraceum). Females bite outdoors in the daytime
Onchocerciasis - life cycle
Onchocerciasis - clinical features
Ochocerciasis - diagnostics
Onchocerciasis - treatment
Prevention strategies in onchocerciasis (5)
Challenges in eliminating onchocerciasis (7)
Baylisascaris procynosis - definition
A racoon round worm infection from old poo (not fresh).
Found in Europe, N.America, Japan