title: [Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord: analysis of 80 cases].
abstract: To outline through clinical-laboratorial analysis a profile of schistosomiasis of the spinal cord (SSC) that contributes to the diagnosis and treatment of this disease. 80 patients were studied (59 prospectively), and epidemiological, clinical,laboratorial, treatment and outcome data extracted. In 79 patients the diagnosis was presumptive and obeyed rigorous criteria. There was a predominance of male sex (68.7%), age group from 21 to 40 years (63.7%), Northeasterners (85%), building construction workers (31.2%), previous abdominal effort (57.5%), subacute beginning (61.2%), myeloradiculitis form and lesion in conus and cauda equina (72.5%). Cerebral spinal fluid showed lymphomononuclear pleocytosis and protein increase in 100% of the cases as well as gamma globulin in 76.5%, positiveness of immunofluorescence reaction and/or ELISA for schistosomiasis in 100% of the cases with average titles of 1/16 and 61 u/dl, respectively. Corticosteroids and antischistosomal drugs were given to all patients with a satisfactory outcome in 80% of the cases. We emphasize the importance of a precocious treatment to avoid irreversible deficits such as paraplegia or sexual impotence.
authors.affiliation: Divisão de Neurologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alberto Jorge Pereira
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Peregrino
authors.forename: Paula Marzorat Kuntz
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Puglia
authors.forename: José Paulo Smith
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Nobrega
authors.forename: José Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Livramento
authors.forename: Maria Joaquina
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Marques-Dias
authors.forename: Milberto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scaff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010073:Oxamniquine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D012556:Schistosomicides; D010073:Oxamniquine; D011223:Praziquantel; D003907:Dexamethasone; D011241:Prednisone