Schistosomiasis of the prostate: a case report

Schistosomiasis with involvement of the prostate is relatively uncommon and is rarely diagnosed in needle core biopsies.

A 45-year-old, African American man who had recently returned from the Middle East presented with hematospermia of unknown etiology. He also had an elevated PSA level and a positive family history of prostate cancer. Prostate needle core biopsies were obtained. On microscopy he had multiple foci of acute and chronic inflammation. In other foci, Schistosoma haematobium ova were identified in the absence of a host inflammatory response. All his biopsies were negative for carcinoma. A diagnosis of schistosomiasis of the prostate was made.

Schistosomiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of parasitic diseases involving the prostate, especially in patients who live in or have recently visited endemic regions.