Schistosomiasis (bilharziasis): from antiquity to the present

The history of schistosomiasis is a continuous saga of discovery and disappointments. A lot is known and functional genomics bring the hope for better tools, but the infection and its disease sequelae still sap the energy of millions worldwide. The successes in its control are few, and the failures are enormously challenging to the scientific and public health communities and to decision makers globally. This article examines the fundamental milestones in understanding the parasite-host interaction over approximately 5 millennia of recorded history and sketches the main features of progress in the past few decades without attempting a detailed assessment.