An uncommon cause of pulmonary hypertension

A 32-year-old woman presented with severe pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale in congestive cardiac failure. The diagnosis was established by means of positive anti-schistosomal immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies and ultrasonographic evidence of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with portal hypertension. Extensive investigations revealed no other cause for the pulmonary hypertension, providing proof for the diagnosis of pulmonary schistosomiasis. The literature reviewed indicates very few cases of this rare complication. The pathology in general is reviewed in this report as well as some 'pathogenic' mechanisms of this case.