title: Schistosomiasis among travelers: new aspects of an old disease.
abstract: Schistosomiasis is increasingly encountered among travelers returning from the tropics; signs and symptoms of travelers may differ from those of local populations. During 1993-2005, schistosomiasis was diagnosed in 137 Israeli travelers, most of whom were infected while in sub-Saharan Africa. Clinical findings compatible with acute schistosomiasis were recorded for 75 (66.4%) patients and included fever (71.3%), respiratory symptoms (42.9%), and cutaneous symptoms (45.2%). At time of physical examination, 42 patients (37.1%) still had symptoms of acute schistosomiasis, chronic schistosomiasis had developed in 23 (20.4%), and 48 (42.5%) were asymptomatic. Of patients who were initially asymptomatic, chronic schistosomiasis developed in 26%. Diagnosis was confirmed by serologic testing for 87.6% of patients, but schistosome ova were found in only 25.6%. We conclude that acute schistosomiasis is a major clinical problem among travelers, diagnostic and therapeutic options for acute schistosomiasis are limited, and asymptomatic travelers returning from schistosomiasis-endemic areas should be screened and treated.
authors.affiliation: The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Eyal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Meltzer
authors.forename: Galit
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Artom
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marva
authors.forename: Marc Victor
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Assous
authors.forename: Galia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rahav
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schwartzt
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D011223:Praziquantel