title: The emerging threat of schistosomiasis spread in Pakistan.
abstract: Schistosomiasis is among the thirteen neglected tropical diseases of the world. While prevalent in a number of countries, it has only rarely been reported in Pakistan. Here we report a 25 year old male who acquired the infection during travel to Malawi and presented with haematuria and dysuria. He was successfully treated with praziquantel. The possibility of schistosomiasis becoming endemic in the country is discussed. A number of risk factors are present including dams, irrigation, increased travel and geographical proximity to endemic countries. The local presence of at least one snail species of potential hosts for Schistosoma mansoni is confirmed. We see that schistosomiasis endemicity is a possible threat in Pakistan. Solutions to prevent this include reducing travel to endemic areas, prompt recognition and treatment of cases, and health education.
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Subhani
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nizamuddin
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Qasim
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Idrees
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nizami
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Pathology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shakoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Beg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission*; D004199:Disease Vectors; D006417:Hematuria; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum; D010154:Pakistan; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012548:Schistosoma haematobium / Q000166:cytology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission; D012908:Snails / Q000469:parasitology*; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel