[Acute schistosomiasis in travellers to the tropics]

Two of three members (a 29-year-old man [case 1] and a 26-year-old woman [case 2]) of a tourist party to the tropics (Mali) developed a high fever (less than or equal to 40 degrees C), headache, cough, weight loss (less than or equal to 5 kg) and tiredness 3-4 weeks after returning to Germany. In case 1, acute schistosomiasis was tentatively diagnosed as the cause because he reported an attack of dermatitis after exposure to fresh water in an endemic schistosomiasis region and had marked eosinophilia (2118/microliters; 28%) on admission. Serological tests were positive (ELISA with adult antigen, O.D. 0.65 [normal less than 0.15]; with egg antigen O.D. 1.73 [normal less than 0.30], antibody titre in the immunofluorescence test 1:320 [normal less than 1:80]) supported the diagnosis and it was confirmed by demonstrating the parasite, Schistosoma mansoni, in stool but not urine. Findings in case 2 were similar. The third member of the group [case 3], a 58-year-old woman, was symptom-free, but tests revealed schistosomiasis. All three patients were treated with a single dose of Praziquantel (40 mg/kg). A second course of praziquantel (single dose of 40 mg/kg as well as 20 mg/kg three times daily for 3 days) became necessary in case 1, while in case 3 a further single dose of 40 mg/kg was given to ensure a parasite-free state. A follow-up scheme is suggested: clinical examination with white cell and differential counts 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment; three stool and/or urine examinations 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment.