title: Schistosoma prevalence in appendicitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schistosomiasis is a waterborne trematode with numerous subtypes affecting different areas of the body. Rob Ferreira Hospital is located in an endemic area for schistosomiasis in the Lowveld region of South Africa. We set out to determine the prevalence of Sch istosoma in appendicitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2009 to 2013, all appendix samples removed in theatre were reviewed. A total of 304 cases were retrieved. Viable ova, calcified ova, or schistosomal granulomas was considered proof of exposure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one out of the 304 cases revealed evidence of schistosomal exposure, equating to 10.2 %.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A prevalence of more than 10 % is truly significant seeing as how a delayed diagnosis can lead to serious complications, or how a misdiagnosis can result in unnecessary and often protracted treatment with harmful drugs.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Unit, Rob Ferreira Hospital, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa, snbotes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Botes
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Ibirogba
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: McCallum
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kahn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012552:Schistosomiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult