Schistosomiasis: a critical review

Precise data on epidemiology, morbidity, post-treatment resolution, reinfection, and resurgence of schistosomiasis could be helpful in establishing purposeful treatment plans for the disease in endemic populations. Here we give a concise overview of recent publications on bilharziasis. A main emphasis is placed on studies on the prevalence of schistosomiasis, partly including long term surveillance of morbidity following treatment with praziquantel. As genito-urinary schistosomiasis may be a risk factor for the spread of HIV, the involvement of the reproductive tract has become another focus in research on the disease. A novel diagnostic tool, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), is proposed to correlate with the degree of inflammation of the genito-urinary tract.