title: Schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary hypertension.
abstract: Schistosomiasis, a parasite-borne disease, is highly prevalent in Africa and Asia; it is estimated that close to 20 million people worldwide have a severe form of the disease. The chronic form can affect the gastrointestinal system and lead to hepatosplenic disease, and it may cause cardiopulmonary complications, including pulmonary hypertension. The exact pathogenesis of schistosomiasis-associated pulmonary hypertension (Sch-PH) remains unclear, although several mechanisms, including parasitic arterial embolization, pulmonary arteriopathy, and portopulmonary hypertension-like pathophysiology, have been suggested. The immunopathology of the disease is also unclear, although there are similarities with the immunology of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Finally, the treatment of Sch-PH has not been well studied. There is some evidence on treating the underlying infection, with unclear effect on Sch-PH, and advanced PAH therapies are now being suggested, but more studies are needed to confirm their efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California San Diego Health System, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Demosthenes G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Papamatheakis
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Saúde and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors.forename: Ana Olga H
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Mocumbi
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California San Diego Health System, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Nick H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California San Diego Health System, La Jolla, California, USA.
authors.forename: Jess
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mandel
keywords: Sch-PH; chronic schistosomiasis; pathogenesis and treatment; pulmonary hypertension