title: Schistosomiasis: a critical review.
abstract: Precise data on epidemiology, morbidity, post-treatment resolution, reinfection, and resurgence of schistosomiasis could be helpful in establishing purposeful treatment plans for the disease in endemic populations. Here we give a concise overview of recent publications on bilharziasis. A main emphasis is placed on studies on the prevalence of schistosomiasis, partly including long term surveillance of morbidity following treatment with praziquantel. As genito-urinary schistosomiasis may be a risk factor for the spread of HIV, the involvement of the reproductive tract has become another focus in research on the disease. A novel diagnostic tool, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), is proposed to correlate with the degree of inflammation of the genito-urinary tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Eberhard-Karls-University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. bichler@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Bichler
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Feil
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zumbrägel
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eipper
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dyballa
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission