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Using Eggs from Schistosoma mansoni as an In vivo Model of Helminth-induced Lung Inflammation
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Myeloradiculopathy associated to Schistosoma mansoni
Patrícia Pita Lobo1, Miguel Coelho, Ruth Geraldes
1Neurology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal. anapa.pitalobo@gmail.com
Abstract:
Neuroschistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni (Sm) is a rare and severe condition potentially leading to permanent neurological deficit. An 18-year-old Brazilian female was admitted due to a severe conus medullaris and cauda equina syndrome. MRI of thoracic/lumbar spine showed an expanded conus medullaris with patchy gadolinium-enhancement, needle electromyography revealed acute bilateral radiculopathy (L5-S1-S2), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed lymphocytosis and increased proteins and lesion' surgical biopsy documented a lymphocyte infiltrate. Immunodiagnosis with cercariae hullen reaction using Sm cercariae in CSF and serum and immunoelectrodiffusion for circulating antigens detection using anti-Sm antibodies were positive. No schistosoma parasites were found. The patient was treated with praziquantel and corticotherapy for 6 months. At 1 month, partial clinical improvement was noticed, and MRI showed a normal size conus medullaris. At 6 months, there was complete clinical recovery. This case shows that a severe neurological deficit by Sm may have a clinical full recovery after treatment.
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