title: Schistosoma mansoni infection: an immune complex disease presenting with polyarthritis.
abstract: Schistosomiasis or bilharzia is a parasitic disease found in tropical countries. Most infections are subclinical but may progress to chronic form characterized most frequently by the presence of liver involvement and portal hypertension. We report a patient that presented chronic polyarthritis with positive rheumatoid factor. During investigation, increased liver enzymes, negative hepatitis serologies and signs of portal hypertension on an ultrasound examination raised suspicion of S. mansoni infection. We will discuss pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of S. mansoni infection with special attention to articular involvement.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline Tamires
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Lapa
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Appenzeller
authors.forename: Manoel B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bértolo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001168:Arthritis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D050823:Hand Joints / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D007105:Immune Complex Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor / Q000097:blood; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology; D012556:Schistosomicides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012556:Schistosomicides; D011223:Praziquantel; D012217:Rheumatoid Factor; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase