UNEXPECTED URINARY SCHISTOSOMA INFECTION IN A BELGIAN TRAVEL GROUP RETURNING FROM MALAWI

Abstract

Urinary schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma haematobium, is a prevalent parasitic infection in certain areas of Africa and the Middle East. Humans can be infected by cercariae when they are in contact with contaminated freshwater. The adult worms reside in the veins of the vesical and pelvis plexuses. The urinary bladder, the seminal vesicles and the lower ends of the ureters are the most commonly affected organs. In this case report, we describe an unrecognised case of urinary schistosomiasis in a woman who was part of a Belgian travel group; two other patients out of eight were also infected. In Belgium, the number of reported cases of S. haematobium infection is limited. The aim of this report is to emphasize this parasitic infection should be suspected in patients who travel to endemic areas.

Keywords:

• Schistosoma haematobium
• Malawi
• urinary tract infection
• Katayama fever