Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord--underdiagnosed in South Africa?
Schistosomiasis is endemic in many areas of South Africa, particularly the northern and eastern Transvaal. At Ga-Rankuwa Hospital in the northern Transvaal, 30 km north-west of Pretoria, spinal cord disease is common. In a substantial proportion of these cases no obvious cause for the condition can be found. In an attempt to draw attention to schistosomiasis as a possibly underdiagnosed cause of spinal cord disease, 3 cases of schistosomiasis of the spinal cord seen over a period of 3 years are reported. These 3 patients had histological evidence of spinal schistosomiasis. Because myelography of the spinal cord is often non-contributory in schistosomal involvement, it is suggested that patients with 'myelopathy of unknown origin' who come from an endemic area be given a therapeutic trial of praziquantel, especially if the serological findings are positive for schistosomiasis and the lower cord is involved.
Joubert
J
J
Department of Neurology, Medical University of Southern Africa, Pretoria.
Fripp
P J
PJ
Hay
I T
IT
Davel
G H
GH
van Graan
E S
ES
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology