First report of Schistosoma mekongi infection with brain involvement.
We describe, to our knowledge, the first reported case of Schistosoma mekongi infection with brain involvement. S. mekongi is a distinct species most closely related to Schistosoma japonicum that is endemic in a defined area of the Mekong River in Laos and Cambodia and characteristically associated with hepatosplenic disease. The patient had an excellent response to praziquantel therapy but required repeated courses of corticosteroid therapy to suppress recrudescent neurological symptoms.
Houston
Stan
S
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. shouston@ualberta.ca
Kowalewska-Grochowska
Kinga
K
Naik
Sandeep
S
McKean
John
J
Johnson
E S
ES
Warren
Ken
K
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology*; D002160:Cambodia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel