[Urinary schistosomiasis]

The most frequently encountered human bilharziasis, urinary Schistosoma haematobium schistosomiasis, is endemic in Africa and western Asia: 51 countries are concerned. Humans are infected by contact with water harboring snails of the genus Bulinus that emit furcocercous cercariae. Older children eliminate large quantities of schistosoma eggs in urine. CLINICALLY: Schistosoma haematobium lives in the adult form in the bladder plexus, emitting eggs into the urine. Hematuria and signs of upper urinary tract dilatation are the most frequent clinical manifestations. There has been no data substantiating a higher incidence of urinary tract infections or urinary stones in S. haematobium infested subjects. Schistosomiasis alone does not appear to play a major role in infertility. Inversely, clinical and pathology studies do persistently demonstrate an epidemiological association between urinary schistosomiasis and bladder cancer.